During the winter months the thinned trees and hedgerows are condensed into brash piles to create excellent habitat for a variety of species.
December at the Fitts
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Category Archives: Flora and Fauna
September – sharing seeds
Wildlife groups and individuals have recently been contacting the trust to learn from our several years of experience of wildflower seed collecting, germinating and plug-planting.
In September, members of the Menston Area Nature Trust were guided in the process of collecting and sowing seeds for the land that they hope to acquire shortly. They have been mentored by the EKWT on how to form a wildlife trust and become a charity.
Working in a joint venture, the Wood Meadows Trust at Escrick have asked for our help in germinating some uncommon species and to share seeds and plant plugs for their wetland and meadow areas.
Hearing of our expertise, York City Council Community Woodland have asked us to try to germinate Large Hemp Nettle, which is relatively uncommon in this area.
To top up our own supplies, this Autumn volunteers have collected seeds, nuts and berries from various habitats within the parish.
Pasque Flower Project
Askham Bryan College Visit – July 2021
Postponed from last year due to covid and organised by Judith and John Pentith, the Askham Bryan Gardening Club visited the trust on 3rd July 2021. A day which was very, very wet but turned out to be a very enjoyable full day.
In the morning the large group was shown around the inner village reserves. Lunch in the Duke, with time to dry out a little, was followed by a guided walk around Ox Close Wood.
Subsequent comments were enthusiastic:
‘Thank you for arranging the visit to East Keswick on Saturday, we found it fascinating and really enjoyed the morning despite the soaking!’
‘An absolute joy to see such beautiful places, particularly enjoyed the range of flowers in the meadows and the wide variety of grasses and sedges by the marsh. Loads of orchids and to be introduced to the Thistle-broomrape (also known as Yorkshire broomrape), which is only found in our county was special. But the star of the show for me, was to see at last Herb Paris, which was the absolute icing on the cake! Seen so often in guide books, but never found before.’
‘The whole soggy day was enlivened by our two very enthusiastic guides – thanks again!’
Scouts at the Fitts
Thank you to the Scouts.
Recent Sightings
A short walk through Ox Close Wood last Sunday proved very fruitful.
A number of fungi are still showing including the common Orange Peel fungus that grows on the soil of unploughed fields and (pictured) the Yellow Brain fungus. This is a parasitic fungus that gets its nutrients from other fungi that feed on dead wood.
Mandarin Ducks are frequently seen on the river. There are eight here.
Artwork for Sale
One of our members, Jinny Casey, enjoys painting and offers some of her, and other, work for sale here. They are all original works of art of animals, plants and landscapes and are framed. Each piece is priced at £20.00 and all donations will go to the Trust.
Jinny advises that she could deliver locally and suggests that the donation be put in an envelope for her collection during delivery.
If you are interested, please contact info@ekwt.org.uk
Return of a Favourite
After not being seen in the area for six or seven years, we thought that the Wall butterfly had become extinct locally. Their numbers throughout the UK have declined rapidly over several recent decades and they now have a High Conservation Priority. Their decline is likely being caused by climate change…. it is thought that warmer summers are causing them to start an additional brood which is laid too late for their under-developed larvae to survive autumn and winter.
So how lovely it was to see their return with quite a few adult butterflies being seen in and around Ox Close Wood and on the way up to Woodhall.
Another new butterfly for the parish this year has been the Dark Green Fritillary. It has been expanding through Yorkshire and had been seen ovipositing in Ox Close. Unfortunately we don’t yet have a good photo of this butterfly. But if you have….!
Recent Sightings
A short walk today into the wood and along the river found Goosanders, Grey Wagtails and a Jay. The Yellow Star of Bethlehem has been innundated during the recent floods but the patch of plants is growing well with quite a few flower buds showing. Other flora and fauna seen were….
Another New Butterfly
The Brown Argus Aricia agestis is another new butterfly that Trust members have found in Ox Close Wood and in fields in East Keswick. This is great news – showing that the management of our reserves is being rewarded with these successes (see also Silver-washed Fritillary below). The caterpillars’ foodplant is usually Common Rock Rose but more recently they have started to use various geraniums including Meadow Cranesbill of which there is plenty in the parish.
