This is a blog that I have made to document the John Muir Explore Award that I am currently doing. There are four parts to the award - 'Discover', 'Explore', 'Conserve', and 'Share'. This blog serves as part of the 'Share' part of the award.
Day 1 - I discovered and explored a fascinating, beautiful place in the Yorkshire Dales.
Day 2 - I discovered and explored Kilnsey Park.
Day 3 - I learned about conservation in Airton.
Day 4 - I discovered and explored Strid Woods, and shared my bird observations on eBird.
Day 5 - I explored Malham Tarn and practised conservation by doing citizen science.
Day 6 - I explored Malham Tarn and discovered more about it.
Day 7 - I shared my identified moths on an online database and submitted my bird observations to eBird. I explored Shipley Glen and discovered more about birds.
Day 8 - I discovered a new skill.
Day One - Austwick Woods - 14/02/2019
Day Two - Kilnsey Park - 28/02/2019
Part 1
This was the first self-led day of the John Muir Award, which we spent in Kilnsey Park. We visited the captive red squirrels before making our way up a path to the alpacas. After this, we split into two teams and set out on a scavenger hunt which involved finding natural objects whose names began with certain letters. Having done this, we painted some rocks and hid them around the park.
I enjoyed exploring Kilnsey Park, taking part in the activities, meeting the alpacas, and seeing the red squirrels.
I enjoyed exploring Kilnsey Park, taking part in the activities, meeting the alpacas, and seeing the red squirrels.
Part 2
After finishing the morning's activities, we headed to the Pony Trekking Centre nearby. We were each assigned a pony, and we were taught how to saddle and groom them.
Then, we rode our ponies for about half a mile along a quiet road before turning back and returning the ponies to the stables. I was a little apprehensive at first, as my pony was a little restless, but I really enjoyed it, once I got used to it!
About Kilnsey Park
Kilnsey Park is in the heart of Wharfedale, and offers nature trails, along with many activities such as cycling, walking, fishing, and, of course, pony trekking.
The surrounding countryside is beautiful, with trees and rolling hills. Next to the park is the famous Kilnsey Crag, an overhanging, 180ft tall limestone cliff.
Then, we rode our ponies for about half a mile along a quiet road before turning back and returning the ponies to the stables. I was a little apprehensive at first, as my pony was a little restless, but I really enjoyed it, once I got used to it!
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| My pony. |
Kilnsey Park is in the heart of Wharfedale, and offers nature trails, along with many activities such as cycling, walking, fishing, and, of course, pony trekking.
The surrounding countryside is beautiful, with trees and rolling hills. Next to the park is the famous Kilnsey Crag, an overhanging, 180ft tall limestone cliff.
Day Three - Airton - 07/03/2019
On day three, which was the second day led by the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust members,
we went tree planting in Airton. We trudged through mud and streams in the freezing cold rain to arrive at our destination, where we planted alder trees for the next few hours.
Despite the weather, I enjoyed the day and learnt a lot. Benji and I warmed up afterwards with a hot chocolate in the Town End Farmshop.
Planting Trees
When we plant the alders, we first dug a hole for the sapling, and then put the sapling in the hole. After that, we put a plastic sleeve around the tree to keep it safe from strong winds. Some of the previously planted trees had died, so we replaced them with new saplings.
Why did we plant Alders?
Alder is a native species, and it is perfectly suited to the cool, wet, boggy conditions in Airton.
It is also a food plant for several moth caterpillars, including the Pebble Hook-Tip and the Alder Kitten moth. Some bird species, such as siskins and goldfinches, eat the seeds.
Despite the weather, I enjoyed the day and learnt a lot. Benji and I warmed up afterwards with a hot chocolate in the Town End Farmshop.
Planting Trees
When we plant the alders, we first dug a hole for the sapling, and then put the sapling in the hole. After that, we put a plastic sleeve around the tree to keep it safe from strong winds. Some of the previously planted trees had died, so we replaced them with new saplings.
Why did we plant Alders?
Alder is a native species, and it is perfectly suited to the cool, wet, boggy conditions in Airton.
It is also a food plant for several moth caterpillars, including the Pebble Hook-Tip and the Alder Kitten moth. Some bird species, such as siskins and goldfinches, eat the seeds.
Day Four - Strid Woods, Bolton Abbey - 21/03/2019
On this day, which was self led, we went on a bird walk through Strid Woods. I recorded the birds on an app and took lots of photos. We also kept an eye out for wildflowers and other animal life.
As well as the animals shown in the photos below, we saw buzzards, red kites, pied wagtails, oystercatchers, and many more.
I recorded the birds on an app called eBird, and submitted the list of species to a database.
As well as the animals shown in the photos below, we saw buzzards, red kites, pied wagtails, oystercatchers, and many more.
I recorded the birds on an app called eBird, and submitted the list of species to a database.
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| Grey Wagtail. |
Benji and I saw the Grey Wagtail before the walk even started!
Grey Wagtails
Latin Name: Motacilla cinerea
These beautiful birds can be seen all over Britain, all year round.
They breed from April to July, and normally have 4-6 eggs, which are incubated for 12-14 days.
They look very similar to the Yellow Wagtail, but Grey Wagtails are more common in this area.
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| Coltsfoot. |
Latin Name: Tussilago farfara
This plant was originally used in traditional medicine.
It's a perennial plant that is normally 10cm to 30cm tall.
This plant was originally used in traditional medicine.
It's a perennial plant that is normally 10cm to 30cm tall.
It is native to Europe, but can be found in North America and some parts of China.
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| Toad in the hole. |
Latin Name: Bufo bufo
A common amphibian that can be found all across the UK.
The tadpoles hatch after about 10 days,
and they gradually develop into a fully grown toad.
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| Female Goosander. |
The goosander in the photograph is a female. Female goosanders are characterised by ginger head feathers and a light grey back. Males, on the other hand, have shiny green head feathers.
Goosanders can be seen all year round in their breeding range, but can only be seen in winter south of the Humber.
This was a great day out, with lots of wildlife sightings and opportunities to explore Strid Woods.
Day Five - Malham Tarn - 11/04/2019
We spent day 5 in Malham Tarn, exploring the area and doing citizen science, which involved testing the pH of the water in the small ponds next to the boardwalk. We also went pond dipping, which was fun. I found several species of pond life, including water skaters and various larvae. It was fascinating observing the water creatures and finding out more about them.
Water Skaters
Water Skaters use the surface tension of the water to avoid sinking. They are able to do this because their legs are covered with thousands of tiny, grooved hairs that trap air and increase the buoyancy of the insect.
About Malham Tarn
Malham Tarn is a glacial lake. It covers 0.24 square miles and has a surface elevation of 1237 ft.
It is the highest marl lake. Marl lakes are lakes with a bed of calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud.
Limestone is the main rock in Malham Tarn.
Water Voles were reintroduced in 2016, and are now flourishing.
Water Skaters
Water Skaters use the surface tension of the water to avoid sinking. They are able to do this because their legs are covered with thousands of tiny, grooved hairs that trap air and increase the buoyancy of the insect.
About Malham Tarn
Malham Tarn is a glacial lake. It covers 0.24 square miles and has a surface elevation of 1237 ft.
It is the highest marl lake. Marl lakes are lakes with a bed of calcium carbonate or lime-rich mud.
Limestone is the main rock in Malham Tarn.
Water Voles were reintroduced in 2016, and are now flourishing.
Day Six - Malham Tarn - 18/04/2019
For the 6th day we returned to Malham Tarn. We found out about the animal and plant species found there and walked around the boardwalk. There was a very interesting moss called sphagnum moss, which holds a lot of water and can be squeezed out and drunk from.
We then went on a minibus to a limestone pavement, and found out more about their formation. We also learnt about how the electricity is generated in the nearby farms.
Limestone Pavements
The slabs of limestone are called clints, and the fissures between them are called grikes. Limestone pavements are formed when water wears away at a limestone surface, and runs into the cracks in the rock, making them wider and deeper.
We then went on a minibus to a limestone pavement, and found out more about their formation. We also learnt about how the electricity is generated in the nearby farms.
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| Sphagnum moss. |
Limestone Pavements
The slabs of limestone are called clints, and the fissures between them are called grikes. Limestone pavements are formed when water wears away at a limestone surface, and runs into the cracks in the rock, making them wider and deeper.
I enjoyed learning about the geology, flora, and fauna in Malham Tarn.
Day Seven - Individual - 02/05/2019
This was an individual activity. I set my moth trap, which is a box with a funnel and a bright light. The moths are drawn to the light and end up going down the funnel into the box. In the morning, I identified the moths and set them free.
Moths Found
1 Hebrew Character 2 Twenty-Plume Moths
2 Brindled Pugs 1 Double-Striped Pug
I've always been interested in moths, and I sometimes go to Rodley Nature Reserve to help identify, photograph, and release the moths that are caught there.
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| Me with the moth trap. |
Moths Found
1 Hebrew Character 2 Twenty-Plume Moths
2 Brindled Pugs 1 Double-Striped Pug
I've always been interested in moths, and I sometimes go to Rodley Nature Reserve to help identify, photograph, and release the moths that are caught there.
Day Seven - Part Two
I went on a bird walk with my parents. The bird walk along the top of Shipley Glen and it was led by a local ornithologist from Bracken Hall Countryside Centre. We saw many birds, including an escaped Harris's Hawk, Willow Warblers, and Lapwings with chicks!
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| A pair of Lapwings. |
About Lapwings
Latin Name: Vanellus vanellus
Lapwings are in the plover family, and they can be found in Britain all year round.
They spend the breeding season in upland areas and move to lowland areas after the breeding season.
Normally they have 4 eggs, which are incubated for 26-29 days.
About Willow Warblers
Latin Name: Phylloscopus trochilus
They eat small insects and spiders, and in autumn they eat fruits and berries.
They are quite easy to mistake for chaffinches, but chaffinches have darker legs and willow warblers tend to have slightly yellower plumage.
They have 4-7 eggs, and they incubate for about 13 days.
This was a wonderful day out, as I love birds and got to see lapwing chicks, which I had never seen before.
They spend the breeding season in upland areas and move to lowland areas after the breeding season.
Normally they have 4 eggs, which are incubated for 26-29 days.
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| Willow Warbler. |
About Willow Warblers
Latin Name: Phylloscopus trochilus
They eat small insects and spiders, and in autumn they eat fruits and berries.
They are quite easy to mistake for chaffinches, but chaffinches have darker legs and willow warblers tend to have slightly yellower plumage.
They have 4-7 eggs, and they incubate for about 13 days.
This was a wonderful day out, as I love birds and got to see lapwing chicks, which I had never seen before.
Day Eight - Shipley - 16/05/2019
Day eight was the final group activity. We painted a bridge that goes over the Leeds - Liverpool Canal. I enjoyed this activity- it was very therapeutic, and it's a very useful skill to have.
First, we sanded the wood and metal down. Then, we applied a white undercoat and let it dry.
Once the undercoat was dry, we applied a gloss coat.
First, we sanded the wood and metal down. Then, we applied a white undercoat and let it dry.
Once the undercoat was dry, we applied a gloss coat.
Painting the bridge.
Great blog!
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