On an extremely wild, warm and windy morning nine of us set off to Staveley Nature Reserve. Unfortunately due to the gale force winds it was not ideal for birdwatching as the noise of the wind made identifying the bird song extremely difficult and the birds were invisible as they were sensibly sheltering from the wind. However we battled on and the botanists amongst us (nearly all of us!) had a field day with beautiful hay meadows full of colour and various species of Orchid, notably Common-spotted and Bee.

Reed Bunting. Photo: Marg Smith

Walking along the path to our first hide we had great sightings of Common Tern which were nesting on rafts built especially for them. Their aerial displays in the strong wind were a delight to watch. Reed Buntings were numerous, precariously swaying on the reeds.

In the hide we observed Mallard, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, Coot (with chicks), Cormorant, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gull, and Canada Goose. A line of Greylag goslings made a comical sight as did four Lapwing chicks running everywhere with their parents in hot pursuit! A Little Ringed Plover was spotted on the water’s edge, as was a Pied Wagtail.

After lunch we walked back through the woods to the second hide. Along the way we stopped to watch numerous damselflies darting amongst the flowers. After much debate we narrowed them down to either an Azure Damselfly or a Common Blue. They were blue!! We also saw a Large Red Damselfly on a leaf (its real name). The butterfly count began to mount as the sun started to appear. We saw several Speckled Wood, a Little Skipper and a beautiful Brimstone. As we entered the woodland Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Blackbird and Wren were singing.
The second hide was very disappointing. We usually see a variety of birds on the feeders and the Water Rail emerging from the reeds but apart from a Pheasant there was nothing. Not even the Otter which we had seen on another visit!

At this point we decided to call it a day, but on the way back to the cars there was a sudden influx of birds with brilliant viewings. First was a Sedge Warbler singing away in a tree near the path, then a Chiffchaff right next to the path, followed by a Willow Tit (a first at Staveley for us) and lastly a female Blackcap flittering about in the undergrowth.
One of our members thought she saw a Longtailed Tit, and Willow Warbler and Skylark were heard. Carrion Crows, Jackdaws and Woodpigeons were seen battling through the wind, as were Swallow, Swift and House Martin. In the cars going home our only raptors were seen, namely a Red Kite and a Buzzard.
Despite the wind a great day was had by all, but the Botanists went home the happiest bunnies!! A surprising 32 species were recorded.

Marg Smith

The post Staveley Nature Reserve appeared first on Upper Wharfedale Field Society.

On getting out of our cars on the moor top we were immediately treated to excellent views of a Short-eared Owl.  It obliged by circling around so that its beautiful wing patterns were highly visible.  Kestrel, Buzzard, Red Kites, and Cuckoo also showed themselves within the next few minutes; the Cuckoo surveying us from several vantage points, whilst Red Kites made appearances throughout the morning.  The sounds of Curlews, Lapwings and Willow Warblers accompanied us as we enjoyed watching Red Grouse, Pheasant, Greylag Goose and Mallard, all with chicks.  At the weir we had sightings of Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover and Dipper, but our delight knew no bounds when we came upon a Ring Ouzel collecting food from the grass a few metres from us, and then more views of it and its mate while we had lunch basking in pleasantly warm sunshine.  Several Mistle Thrushes, too, were about.  In all we saw 30 species.

Clare Dunn

The post Barden Moor appeared first on Upper Wharfedale Field Society.