24 May 2018
Strid Woods – mid morning to early afternoon
I have visited here once a year, usually in May, for a fair number of years. It is situated in the Dales and a few miles upstream, on the River Wharfe, from Bolton Abbey. It is part of the Bolton Abbey estates owned by the Duke of Devonshire. The valley is surrounded here by the estates moorland and farm holdings. The main reason I visit is because it is probably the best site locally to add a few specialist summer visitors – Redstart, Pied Flycatcher, Wood Warbler and Common Sandpiper. In addition Spotted Flycatcher and Dipper can be added to the list, and Mandarin Duck also breed here. The site is a glorious walk through a deep-sided wooded valley overlooking the river before the terrain opens out around the abbey itself. On a sunny day it is just marvellous as can be seen by the number of visitors, I was probably passed by 60 or more people in a few miles walking. I usually start at the Strid car park and drop down to the river, along to the northern bridge and cross over then head down the other side of the valley to Cavendish Pavilion, cross over again and then head up that side back to the car park. This year I stopped at the covered shelter high in the woods and then re-traced my steps missing out the Cavendish Pavilion stretch
Heading down from the car park along the Cumberland Trail, I was surrounded by bird song with the occasional Nuthatch and Treecreeper showing. Arrived at the river where there is a good spot and it did not disappoint as I logged Grey Wagtail and Common Sandpiper, then headed upstream in the Barden direction. Here the woods open out as you approach a bridge, I crossed the river and continued upstream. The river is now on the left with its occasional shingle banks, and open fields are on the right. It is a good spot for hirundines, and I saw my first Sand Martins of the year (there is a nesting colony further upstream) and an Oystercatcher in the fields. A Dipper then put in an appearance; they have already bred this year. This stretch also had the only butterflies of the day with around a dozen patrolling Green-veined Whites
Then back to the bridge and on into the woods proper, checking all the visible nest boxes. It was not long before I had my first Pied Flycatcher, the males are just stunning birds to see. Soon after that I saw my first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. Up to the highest shelter where a male Mandarin Duck was perched in a tree then re-traced my footsteps back to the car. Saw more of the same on the return journey with just Goosander as an added bonus. Missed the Redstart this year and no Wood Warbler seen, but that is quite scarce, so no surprises there. All together a delightful day
28 May 2018
Bingley Bog North – Afternoon
I spent two hours down at the bog this afternoon. The hot and sunny weather continues so I was hoping for some good sightings
Followed the main path along to the area by the by-pass, checked there for browns and skippers then back towards the town and finally into the fields before heading back to the car
A dozen or so Large Whites were around, nine male Orange Tips were patrolling. Near the trees I had my first Speckled Wood of the year, two Small Tortoiseshells were seen but it was too early for the browns and skippers here
Had an encounter with a male Blackcap and also came across a family of Long-tailed Tits that had fledged already. A Grey Heron briefly stopped off and then saw a few dragonflies, studied through the binos they were Broad-bodied Chasers, but no chance of any photos at that distance. Willow Warblers were singing away and it appeared that Moorhen, Canada Goose and Mallard were all breeding at the site
3 June 2018
Local patch - Afternoon
Another chance to trot round my local patch, I followed my usual route of across the fields to the copse, down to Eldwick reservoir via the bridleway, back up the bridleway to Heights Lane, along to Walsh Lane and home
The copse had two Green-veined White and two Large White, also Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler and Blackcap. A passing Red Kite was being mobbed by a Lapwing
Crossed Heights Lane and onto the bridleway along here (both down and back) I had Green-veined White, two unidentified passing nymphalids and my first Wall of the year
At Eldwick Reservoir were three male Orange Tips (still very restless), four Large Whites, three Green-veined Whites, another Wall and a Peacock. The star, though, was a glorious male Brimstone, a real pity I got no chance to take a photo as I could not relocate it after going over the gate to the reservoir itself. It is not a butterfly seen very often where I live
Also in attendance were Willow Warbler, Grey Wagtail and Curlew and Lapwing in the fields or overhead. An Oystercatcher also put in an appearance
Heights Lane was pretty quiet with a road casualty Mole being unusual, but Walsh Lane was a bit better with a Weasel and a nice close Curlew. As I got to the bottom of the lane I could hear a commotion in Greenhill Woods here, on investigation I could see the culprit which was a Tawny Owl upsetting all the resident birds, including a very noisy Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Small Torts and Peacocks 
If you need any pointers about where to go in Dorset or Wiltshire then don't hesitate to ask 
That shot of the Tawny is just great