From the President, Peter Riley

I am writing this Newsletter on the back of yet another mild winter – the times certainly are a changin’ and our flora and fau-

na are undoubtedly being affected in myriad ways. Like all of you, I guess, I am praying for the sort of decent summer that will

benefit wildlife and help it bounce back from the declines that are now all too evident. As usual, our Summer Programme

(once again compiled by Helen Steward) is designed to help you get the most out of your membership with, I hope, some-

thing for everyone. My thanks to Helen and all those who are have helped to compile the Programme and/or volunteered to

lead events.

SUBSCRIPTION

It is again time to renew your annual subscrip-

tion which has been held, yet again, at the bar-

gain price of £12-50 with the usual concessions

for children and students. Our member-

ship has held steady for several years now

which is an achievement in itself given

trends elsewhere, so I do urge you to

please re-join and lend your support. The

latest ‘State of Nature’ report leaves no

room for doubt regarding the wildlife crisis we face and I do think there-

fore it is more important than ever that we have a local natural history

society that is prepared to make its voice heard and support local con-

servation initiatives. I know many of you are not able to take advantage

of what we offer as much as you would like but do please stay with us –

we really do need you all! The Renewal Form is enclosed/attached.

New members are just as essential so do please encourage your rela-

tives/friends/colleagues to join us as well.

Haycock & Jay Associates Ltd are glad to support WNS through the printing of this Newsletter

Michael Brear has again been kind enough to

organise the Summer Coach Outing, this time

to Leighton Moss. This is one of the RSPB’s

premier Reserves so do please help us fill the

Coach by booking your place(s) using the

attached/enclosed Form.

Newsletter - April 2017

Tea/Coffee Organiser

Following the appeal in the last Newsletter I am grate-

ful to be able to report that Janet Foreman and Nick

Lightband have kindly agreed to take over this re-

sponsibility, from Joan Alred, with effect from Sep-

tember 2017. Special thanks are of course owed to

Joan who has been involved in this activity for over 30

years including the organising responsibility for the

last decade or two. A wonderful effort!

Coffee/Social Morning

Christine Hobson would like to relinquish

this responsibility after many years of organ-

ising the November event to great effect. I

would be most grateful if a replacement

organiser would come forward as this is a

significant money-raising effort in the WNS

calendar. The work is only a one-per-year

event and plenty of assistance is available.

Could we have a volunteer please!

Nature Reserves and Conservation

Working Parties at all the five Reserves with which we are associated are of course continuing. New volunteers are

always welcome . Details are given below:

Once again, many thanks for all your support.

Peter

If you have not yet bought an Annual Review please do so by filling in the attached/

enclosed Form. There are more colour pages this year to enhance the appeal and a wealth of

articles in addition to the usual Recorders’ reports. Many thanks to John Stidworthy and Anne

Riley for a superb publication. The Review is fundamental to our work so please do purchase a

copy (subsidised to keep the price at £5) – you will not be disappointed.

Recording

Following a meeting of Recorders please note the following which should greatly assist them in compiling their records

and producing their Report for our Annual Review : -

H Grid references are especially helpful especially bearing in mind that location names may not be familiar to an

individual Recorder. If uneasy with this, search ‘Grid Reference Finder’ which is very easy to use.

7 All records are gratefully received and this applies to both scarcer species and common ones. The latter can be

easily overlooked but are just as important.

e Recorders are always happy to help with identification from either specimens or photographs.

N A standard Recording Form is available from the WNS website or from individual Recorders by email. Hard cop-

ies will be displayed for collection at Indoor Meetings through the autumn/winter months. Some Recorders may

prefer you to use their own version of the Form and they will contact you directly where they think this will be

helpful.

l Please submit your records at appropriate intervals through the year rather than sending them all at once at

the year end, when Recorders will be busy compiling their Reports.

Ben Rhydding Grass Wood Otley Wetland Sun Lane Gallows Hill

Second Saturday of

the month from

9-30am.

Contact Steve Parkes

on 01535 647220

No general Work Par-

ties in Summer.

No Work Parties in

April or May. Thereaf-

ter Sunday 18th June

and third Saturday in

July/August. (9.30am)

Contact Peter Riley

First Sunday from

August (10am). No

Work Parties April to

July..

Contact Peter Riley

First Tuesday of the

month at 10-00am.. Contact

Gordon Haycock on

01943 968112