On Thursday 18 September the Ornithology Group visited Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve at Staveley near Boroughbridge. The weather was sunny and warm and the only evidence of the wind and rain we had had was puddles in the car park!
Staveley. Photo K Goodings
The vegetation had grown to obscure views over the rough wetland where we often saw snipe and ducks. But we did see quite a few Hirundines, Swallows and House Martins. A short detour to overlook a cut meadow only revealed some glorious wild plum trees full of nicely ripe fruits. Back onto the main path through the woodland.
Through the woodland a Great Tit was seen but birds heard but not seen were Blackbird and Wren.
At the first hide we met a group from York u3a who were watching a Hobby (a first for me) hunting over the fields and lake. Also from here we saw Kestrel, Great White Egret, Lapwing and distant Buzzard.
From the second hide we had a great view of a Marsh Harrier being mobbed by five Corvids and a fleeting view of two warblers. After much discussion it was decided one was a Willow Warbler and the other a Reed Warbler.
We walked on to the third hide which, disappointingly, is now out of bounds due to safety issues and the whole area is quite over grown.
Staveley Lagoon. Photo K Goodings
Staveley Church Hide. Photo K Goodings
Returning to the first hide we now had the place to ourselves and had lunch! Jo managed to find the first wader, a Ruff!
Walking on to the Church Hide we had another magnificent view of the Hobby directly overhead with good views of it’s white cheeks and black ‘moustaches’. We also heard but did not see Cetti and Chiff Chaff. At the hide once again there was disappointment at the growth of vegetation hiding the scrapes. We managed to see a Ruff again – perhaps the same one! No other waders were spotted – perhaps they are put off by the large number of geese!
A good day out with altogether 32 species seen. Despite ‘interrogation’ from Kevin the York group did not reveal any other interesting sites they visit round York.
Report: Cynthia Colley
