Rusty Wind TurbineWe had planned to visit Wheldrake Ings last autumn but the trip had to be postponed as a dry spell had left the reserve with very little standing water. One of the wettest winters on record meant there was no such problem this time. Stuart was our leader for the day and was also driving the full minibus which parked up at Bank Island, part of the Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve. A moth trap had been running overnight and John in particular took considerable interest in trying to identify the moths that lingered on the eggboxes. As we made our way down to the 2 hides sited on this reserve, a herd of cows started charging at us. Fortunately it was only a short-lived stampede and the cows came to a halt. The second hide was the better of the two. Birds seen included shelduck and gadwall. On the riverbank close to the hide both male and female goat willow were growing. Whilst heading back to the car park to use the picnic tables we spotted a treecreeper and possibly a bullfinch.
After lunch we walked on to Wheldrake Ings where there were several hides.
Small TortoiseshellThe morning had been overcast but the afternoon was much brighter and this brought out the butterflies, small tortoiseshell, peacock and brimstone. Most of the birds were quite distant but two telescopes were available and whooper swans were spotted. Waders were lacking. Three buzzards were seen in flight and a marsh tit was noted. 48 birds were recorded. Donald reported that someone had seen a pintail but no-one I spoke to said they had seen it! 14 plants in flower were recorded, the most notable being hogweed which is flowering very early. Robert spotted a stoat and I was pleased to also catch a glimpse of it when it popped its head up for a second time from the end of a boardwalk. The paths were very muddy in places and Robert gallantly cleaned Marilyn's boots for her before boarding the bus for our return journey. Sue
