Wild West Yorkshire nature diary
house sparrowsparrowhawk

Shed Sparrows

Saturday 20th May 2000
next day nature diary previous day back
line
Nature Diary     Rocks     History     Workshop     Links     Home Page    
line
dunnocknipplewort flower
THERE'S BEEN a lot of Dunnock (also known as the Hedge Sparrow) activity amongst the honeysuckle and ivy above the trellis on the corner of our garden shed. As I take a closer look a bird flies out right in front of my face. Even from so close, I can't make out the nest so I leave them in peace.

On Dewsbury Station, Nipplewort grows by the platform flower bed. It's a dull day, so the flowers aren't open.


wych elm points on elm leaf On the sandstone wall of the embankment above, a Wych Elm sapling grows from a crevice. From down below it looks like Hazel, but two things make me think it is elm;

  • It is more likely that a winged elm seed would find its way into this inaccessible crevice than hazel nut.
  • The leaf has two longer points (like a pair of pointed ears) at either side of the leaf tip. I've noticed this as a feature of hedgerow elms.

hazel catkins earlier in the year Hazel leaves are rounder and have softly prickly hairs. The elm leaf, as you can see when you get closer to it, is uneven at the base and has a rough surface.

Richard Bell
Richard Bell,
wildlife illustrator
E-mail; 'richard@daelnet.co.uk'

  
line
Next day    Previous day   Nature Diary   Wild West Yorkshire home page
line