Hurray! Our first Field visit after lock- down, and how good it felt for 6 of us to be able to meet up again on a beautiful warm sunny morning by the river Wharfe.
The reserve is managed by a small group of volunteers from the Wharfedale Naturalist Society who, in order to improve the site and maximise bio-diversity, have undertaken a programme of invasive weed control, woodland management, and scrub clearance along with regular wildlife surveys to monitor progress.
As I pulled into the car park of the new Garden Centre (permitted parking) a Red Kite flew low over head, a good start to the day.
A very short walk and we were all assembled at the entrance to the reserve. On first impression it looked rather dry and sparse but did in fact reveal nearly 40 species of plants in flower on the day. Notable amongst these were Ground Ivy (nearly all over the site) Common Twayblade, Few flowered garlic, Cuckoo flower, and several Speedwells including Common Field and Ivy leaved. Under the hedge by the road side, on the way out, we found Thale cress, Pyrenean scurvy grass, an early flowering Common Storksbill, and Wild cherry. Cultivated apple blossom was seen near a seat probably used for snacking as well as viewing.
But the star find was the Golden leaved saxifrage spotted by Alice, who suspected it may be a find and which we have had confirmed by Wharfedale Nats. as the rarer alternate leaved, a first for site. Well done Alice.
Twenty three bird species were recorded. In the wooded area we heard or saw Goldfinch, Chiffchaff, Titmice, Wren, Blackcap and Robins. Greylag geese flew noisily along the river, a Grey Heron put in an appearance on the bank, and a curlew flew over the fields. While a male Mandarin duck swam downstream a female Mallard competently gathered her nine wayward ducklings swimming in the opposite direction. The aforesaid seat provided excellent views of Sand Martins going about their aerial acrobatics while feeding and visiting their nesting holes on the opposite bank. We had come to see these and were not disappointed.
Alas we were not lucky enough to see the otters which are reputedly on site, perhaps next time . . .
It was however an enjoyable morning for us all on a small but interesting site which is well worth another visit as the season progresses. See pictures in the gallery.
Sue N