​Goit Stock Bluebell Walk – Wed 14th May, 2pm-4pm
WEATHER UPDATE: The weather is looking lovely and sunny for this event, see you there!

This is a gentle linear walk in a great wood up to Goit Stock Waterfall to appreciate the beautiful bluebells. This is a fantastic time of year when the woods and flowers come to life in perfect harmony. The path is very flat with great access until after the caravan park, where it can get rocky and muddy underfoot. Terrain approaching the waterfall is very unsteady and has a staircase at the very end which is optional to climb. Plenty of parking on Wilsden Road. Meet at the entrance to Goit Stock Lane, where Wilsden Road and Harden Lane meet, opposite the Malt Shovel Pub (BD16 1BG). What3words location: “volunteered.wasp.slack”

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Green Hairstreaks & Cuckoos in Baildon – Wed 21st May, 2pm-4pm
This is a gentle walk on the moor to look for emperor moths and green hairstreak butterflies. We will also be using a pheromone lure to draw emperor moths to us, and if the bilberry is in flower we will have a good chance of seeing the small but striking green hairstreaks. Feel free to bring binoculars as there will be plenty to see on the moors. Meeting point is Baildon Moor Walkers Car Park (BD17 6BQ) on Hawksworth Road, additional parking available round the corner at Baildon Moor Strawberry Fields Car Park, what3words location: “rips.tulip.tigers”
 

Otter Walk, River Aire between Bingley and Saltaire – Sun 25th May, 11am-3pm
This is a walk focused on looking for signs of otters along the river Aire between Bingley and Saltaire, led by Andy Mather from the Calderdale Otter Project. Although we know there is good presence of otters here it is unlikely we will see the otters themselves. The walk will focus on learning how to identify otter spraint (poo), footprints and meal remains. This walk will be done in two 2hour blocks, going in different directions along the River Aire, circling back to the meeting point halfway through. You are welcome to come for the first 2hours and people with stamina to do all 4hours please bring a packed lunch. Terrain will be rocky, muddy and unsteady underfoot. Parking is in the residential cul-de-sac, Branksome Drive (BD18 4BE), please park sensibly. Grid reference: SE12523783. What3words location: “eased.hawks.dignitary”
 

Peregrine Observation Morning at Dalton Mill – Sat 31st May, 10am-12pm
This is the time of year when peregrines are feeding juvenile young. Paul Wheatley will be there as our peregrine specialist, please join us to watch their activity and hear their distinctive cry. Binoculars recommended but not essential as we will have viewing equipment to share. Meeting point is on Dalton Lane (where it intersects with Riverside), Keighley, BD21 4JR. There is some parking along Dalton Lane. What3words location: "again.rust.wings"
 

Lister Park Tree Identification Walk – Sun 1st Jun, 2pm-4pm
A walk around Lister Park to see trees and learn how to identify them. This is a great time of year as all trees will be in full leaf, and there is good variety to see with some ancient trees. This park is wheelchair friendly, although the north path along Emm Lane is on a steeper slope. There are no toilets at the park (although there are in the museum, if open). Meet at the Norman Arch (the north-east entrance), plenty of parking along Emm Lane, BD9 4JR. What3words location: “visual.zeal.eagle”

 

Maternity Bat Roost Count  – Fri 6th Jun, 9.15pm-10.15pm
This is a bat count as pipistrelle bats emerge from a maternity roost in Keighley. To make this event even more special, the roost is at a pub! Relax with a pint while watching bats fly overhead. There will be bat detectors provided so that we can hear them too as they take flight to forage nearby. There is limited parking. Please note, this is not a bat walk so there is no need to bring torches. Meet outside the pub on the benches. The Brown Cow, Keighley, BD21 2LQ. What3words location: “ledge.them.dimes”

 

Peregrine Observation Morning at Lister Mill – Sun 8th Jun, 10am-12pm
This is the time of year when peregrines are feeding juvenile young. Paul Wheatley will be there as our peregrine specialist, please join us to watch their activity and hear their distinctive cry. Binoculars recommended but not essential as we will have viewing equipment to share. Meeting point is the intersection between Silk Street and Beamsley Road, BD9 4SB. There is ample parking space in these streets. What3words location: “nest.impose.joined”

 

Shipley Station Butterfly Meadow Open Day – Sat 14th Jun, 10am-4pm
Let’s celebrate Shipley’s Great Big Green Week by counting butterflies and looking for pupae in the plants. It is in the centre of Shipley’s Railway Station and managed by BUWG and Butterfly Conservation. We have an open day every year for everyone to drop in to learn about butterflies. Situated in the middle of the station car park, BD18 2JL. The entrance is off the pathway running between the turning circle and platform two. What3words location: “drew.drive.impact”

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Gravel Pits at Ben Rhydding, with Wharfedale Naturalists and BBG – Wed 18th Jun

This event is BUWG Members Only
Wharfedale Naturalists and Bradford Botany Group have extended an invitation to BUWG members to join their tour of the Gravel Pits led by Steve Parkes. This is a fantastic orchid site including Twayblade, Southern Marsh, Common Spotted and hybrids. This is a gentle evening walk, full details provided when booking your place. Parking is very limited, access by the small layby just to the south-east of the Moss and Moor Garden Centre on Coutances Way (LS29 8AW). What3words location: “reconnect.offstage.villa”

 

Cullingworth Orchid Walk – Wed 25th Jun, 2pm-4pm
Please join us for a gentle walk and plant survey. This visit is to monitor the health of bee orchids that were moved en masse several years ago to make room for planned construction works. Bee orchids are a protected plant, but unfortunately they do not seem to have survived the move. However we continue to monitor the site for any change and there is still plenty more wildlife to see. Meet in the layby on Manywells Brow where it meets with Castle Stead Drive (the southern-most junction), BD13 5DZ. What3words location: “agency.waltz.peachy”

 

Lister Park Walk with Botanical Gardens – Sun 6th Jul, 2pm-4pm
A walk around Lister Park to see trees and learn how to identify them. This walk will have a focus on the botanical tree section of the park. This park is wheelchair friendly, although the north path along Emm Lane is on a steeper slope. There are no toilets at the park (although there are in the museum, if open). Meet at the Norman Arch (the north-east entrance), plenty of parking along Emm Lane, BD9 4JR. What3words location: “visual.zeal.eagle”

 

Moths, Location TBC – July TBC
Further details to come for this event, please check our website or Facebook for any updates.

 

Lister Park Walk with Botanical Gardens – Sun 3rd Aug, 2pm-4pm
A walk around Lister Park to see trees and learn how to identify them. This walk will have a focus on the botanical tree section of the park. This park is wheelchair friendly, although the north path along Emm Lane is on a steeper slope. There are no toilets at the park (although there are in the museum, if open). Meet at the Norman Arch (the north-east entrance), plenty of parking along Emm Lane, BD9 4JR. What3words location: “visual.zeal.eagle”
 

Bingley Moor Walk – Sun 10th Aug, 2pm-4pm
A gentle walk to see the purple heather in bloom and hope to see grouse, red kites and curlews. Meet where Heights Lane meets Otley Road. Very limited parking for just a few cars on the left near the top of Heights Lane. What3words: “miracle.geese.oddly”

 

Bat Walk, Apperley Bridge – Fri 15th Aug, 8.15pm-9.30pm
Places are limited and location/timings may change, so booking is essential. Join us for a chance to see and listen with bat detectors to these fascinating creatures of the night. Families of all ages welcome. Please bring a torch as it will be dark by the finish time. It will be a short circular walk beginning and ending by the river. Meeting point is opposite the entrance to the George and Dragon car park on Apperley Road (BD10 0PU). Please do not park in the pub car cark, plenty of street parking available. What3words location: “quiet.maps.slate”
 

Bat Walk, Addingham – Wed 10th Sep, 7.15pm-8.30pm
Places are limited and location/timings may change, so booking is essential. Join us for a chance to see and listen with bat detectors to these fascinating creatures of the night. Families of all ages welcome. Please bring a torch as it will be dark by the finish time. It will be a short walk, beginning and ending by the river. Meeting point is by the Dales Way footpath on Ilkley Road (the ‘old road’, LS29 0QL). Parking is permitted along this road but it is quite narrow, please park with care. What3words location: “kicks.unscrew.riverboat”
 

Fungi Foray, St Ives – Sat 27th Sep, 10.30am-1.30pm
NOTE - The event for this date has changed, please make sure to attend on Sat 27th. Places are limited so booking is essential. Please join us for a morning of exploring St Ives Woods with Andy Woodall from Mid Yorkshire Fungus Group and Friends of St Ives. Andy and his volunteers from MYFG are mad about mushrooms! You are guaranteed to have a wonderful morning getting hands on experience and seeing the fungi close up, all ages welcome. Please bring a packed lunch. Meeting point is the south side of Coppice Pond, entrance to St Ives from Keighley Road has several small car parks but is Pay & Display (BD16 1AT). What3words location: “pickle.agreement.unspoiled”