Events coming up:
As well as the volunteer work listed here, please see the timetable of Guided Walks & Citizen Science below.
- Toad Patrol! – Toad orgies will be coming up – keep an eye on the website or Facebook at MenstonNature to find out when the toads have started their dangerous journey to High Royd’s pond. Mild, damp nights in early spring are ideal migration time. Come with high viz if possible, waterproof gloves, a bucket and a torch.
- Litter picking in Weston Woods – Saturday 7th March 10am-3pm Equipment will be provided.
- Sunday 8th March 2-4pm Wildflower planting in Miss Porritt’s field – please bring a trowel.
- Sunday 12th April 2-4pm Drawing from Nature Venue Kirklands tbc – no artistic talent required!
- Sunday 3rd May Dawn Chorus Day in Weston Woods – come and enjoy one of the marvels of nature amongst carpets of bluebells. See website for more details.
- Sunday 10th May 2-4pm Bioblitz in Miss Porritt’s Field – come and help us discover what wildlife and wildflowers are there. Great for families!
- Saturday 16th May 2-4pm Bracken Bashing in Weston Woods – no expertise necessary!
- Sunday 14th June 2-4pm Balsam Bashing in High Royds. Please bring gloves, and long trousers are recommended.
Guided Walks & Citizen Science Calendar
Precise dates will be added as events are firmed up.
| Month | Guided Walk | Citizen Science |
| January | Winter Tree ID & Bird Survey | RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch |
| February | Lichen & Moss Exploration | Toad Patrol @ High Royds |
| March | First signs of Spring | Toad Patrol @ High Royds |
| April | Early Flowers | |
| May | Birdsong & Bluebells | Dawn Chorus Day (Sunday 3rd) |
| June | Pollinators | FIT counts |
| July | Bat Evening | |
| August | Moth Evening | |
| September | Seed & Fruit ID | |
| October | Autumn Fungi & Leaf Colour | |
| November | Mammal Signs & Tracks | |
| December | Winter Birds |
Past Events:
Weston Woods at Otley Commons
There was a good turn out for Friends of Weston Woods presentation on the results of the community consultation, and talks by ecologists Cathy Burton and Robyn Guppy about the wildlife, importance of the woods in the landscape, and the bird survey. Thank you to everyone who attended.
Walk in Weston Woods
We had a very pleasant walk around the woods with some very instructive facts about woodlands and their care from Geoff Lomas. If anyone would like to know more about the woods, please get in touch at info@mant.org.uk
Ilkley Carnival Fundraising
Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help at the 2025 Ilkley Carnival to raise money for MANT and Weston Woods. Your support is very much apprectiated. We raised an amazing £475!
FoWW Auction raised £3000!
Thanks to everyone who helped raise this amazing amount, the generous donations from everyone who promised something in the auction, and of course, all those lovely people who bid so willingly on the items. This is a fantastic result! We are now within £1500 of our target!
If you have won an item, you will be put in touch with the donor in the next few days. Thank you for your patience!
For Working Parties in Weston Woods, please click here.
Working Parties:
October Working Party
Once again, we sowed all the wildflower seeds we collected in August, and potted on any from last year, for planting out in wild areas in the future.
Balsam Bashing Working Party
Our hard work has been making a difference to the amount of Himalayan Balsam in High Royds. This year’s Bashing (well, pulling up) made further inroads into the invasive plant, reducing its spread towards the stream on the south of the site.
Bird Walks
Bird walks are changing to a seasonal event. The next bird walk will be shown here, when it has been arranged.
Scything Event
We are hoping to hold a Scything workshop in Miss Porritt’s field towards the end of June – watch this space, and contact us at info@mant.org.uk if you are interested in attending.
Previous Working Parties
March Working Party
A dent was made in the tree guard population in High Royds on Sunday 12th March. There are still thousands on site, but at least a few trees can grow more freely now! Thanks to all who helped.
Bird Box making workshop
Even excessive heat and punishing sunshine didn’t deter a sizable group of seed collectors in August. Much Yellow Rattle was gathered, and many other useful wildflowers. Thanks to all who braved the conditions, and have since been cleaning and storing the seeds ready for sowing later this autumn.
These seeds have now been lovingly sown into pots to grow as plug plants for planting out at a later date.
The third working party found several people potting on wild flowers, for planting in Miss Porritt’s (or elsewhere) next spring.
Balsam Bashing in High Royds proved to be an enjoyable, if hot afternoon. Thank you to all who came and helped. It is certainly worthwhile removing the plant while the infestation is still at a manageable level.
Our first and second working parties successfully demolished some old fencing in Miss Porritt’s field. Great work all round. And found two frogs happy in a corner.
Bird Walks
MANT Bird Walks continue on Thursday 18th August. As usual, Meet outside Kirklands at 9am for a 9:10am departure. The walk will take about an hour, and will end near the Cornerstone Cafe. Bring binoculars, if you have them, and enthusiasm, but please, no dogs, as they tend to scare the birds off.
The first MANT Bird Walk happened on Thursday 21st July. Much enjoyed by all who attended.
If possible, please email info@mant.org.uk to say you are coming.
Miss Porritt’s Jubilee Picnic
Saturday 4th June 12-4pm, in Miss Porritt’s Field – FREE
Take a break from all the loud celebrations and come and relax in the wild surroundings of Miss Porritt’s Field in the centre of Menston. Bring your own picnic and drink and see how many different creepy crawlies or wild flowers you can find.
Future Meetings:
Our first General Meeting was held on 3rd February 2022 7:30pm via Zoom. The date of the next General Meeting is yet to be decided.
Future Events: