Flying Times the Newsletter of Nidderdale Birdwatchers
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Flying Times The Newsletter of Nidderdale Birdwatchers Issue Summer 2014 From the Chairman After a snow free winter Contents Page and many glorious spring days we are rapidly approaching summer. Where have those From the Chairman 1 spring days gone so rapidly? Chirps Two outstanding events fixed it Club events for 2/3 for me. I was lucky enough to your diary take part in the trip to Silverdale for a Nidderdale Birdwatchers Your pin-up of 4 away weekend based on the Kent summer events estuary at Arneside.. At Warton Crag we found two Peregrines calling and displaying and Ravens sitting on a nest. Reports on Club 5/8 We also found two erstwhile members, Sheila and Geoff, on a jaunt down from events Scotland, by complete coincidence. Which only goes to prove that birdwatchers flock together. The other outstanding event was an Updale Safari to Scar House Red Kites 9 where we got not two but three or more male and female Ring Ouzels bouncing Club News 10/11 about the scree and even on the footpath at the other side of the dam. I heard and & Notices saw a female Ouzel giving her scratchy call, a first for me. Now there is all of summer to come. Just look through all the events we have lined up for you. They include an early morning walk at Strid Woods on May 17th, a visit to Malham Tarn Pete’s Corner 12 Contacts and Cove; famous for its Peregrine, Yellow Wagtails and Green Woodpeckers on June 13th. A full day at Flamborough Head with a guided morning walk led by Richard Baines, local ornithologist and conservationist on June 22nd and a Photography Day at Grimwith Reservoir on July 11th and there are many more mouth watering events to enjoy with your ice-cream. Happy bird watching Ros Wade On Thursday 27th Feb, whilst walking along the river Laver, I thought I heard a Sedge Warbler, and then I thought it might be a Reed Warbler and then I realised it is not April yet. Any ideas? Sue Harrison February the first, and the first sighting of a blue tit investigating a nest box - one of ours at Glasshouses Dam. Spring’s on its way! Tony Knowles 26th Feb Just thought i’d let you know my pair of oyster catchers came back onto my barn wall this last weekend-they didn’t stay long but it was great to see them-this is the 4th year they have returned !! Angus Gosman 2nd April June Atkinson of Harrogate NATS reports 2 pairs of Ring Ouzel and 3 Wheatear at Scar Reservoir yesterday. Ros Wade 27th April We had a super walk early on Easter Saturday morning from Barden Bridge to Bolton Abbey and counted 8 male Pied Flycatchers. At the shelter half way down, we had very close views of birds coming for seed, Tits, Finches, Nuthatches, 2 pairs of Mandarin Ducks, - and a wood mouse. Tony & Alwin Knowles Page 1 SUMMER EVENTS PROGRAMME The description of each outdoor event gives the name and contact details of the Event Organiser. Please let the Organiser know if you intend to go on a trip. This does not mean that you cannot attend at the last minute but trips may be cancelled if there appears to be insufficient interest, so we need to know in advance who wants to go. Some events demand a reasonable level of fitness depending on distances and terrain to be covered so if in doubt contact the organiser. Under 16s should be accompanied by an adult on all outdoor events. Non members are welcome at events. We would also advise that you check the website or ring the Organiser just before the event to ensure that it is still happening and the arrangements haven’t changed. The rendezvous point for car sharing is the car park in Pateley Bridge opposite Towler’s newsagent at the bottom of the High Street unless otherwise notified. Friday 9th May Danby Beacon and Woods and Moors of North York Moors National Park An all day visit to the North York Moors with a visit to Danby Beacon. Will there be Dotterel? The magnificent views should be accompanied by the call of the Golden Plover and Curlew and other moorland birds. We will visit the Esk valley woods and The Moors Centre, the National Park visitors centre where there is currently an exhibition by Peter Hicks, painter of wonderful landscapes. Bring a packed lunch. Meet at PBCP 8.30 or The Moors Centre, Danby at 10.00 (car park fee). To find the Centre, travel up the A19 to the A172 to Stokesley, then the minor road east to KIldale and then Danby. The visitor centre is beyond Danby on the Lealholm road. The organiser is Sheila Nash Saturday 17th May Strid Woods An early morning visit listening for the 'Dawn Chorus' in this beautiful area of Wharfedale. Bring warm clothing, sturdy footwear and a flask. Meet at 6am at Pateley bottom car park opposite Towlers. The organiser is Colin Slator Monday 19th May (Evening) Evening Walk from Ripley – Nidderdale Greenway An evening walk exploring the wildlife of this new cycle and walking route between Ripley and Harrogate. The path follows the course of the old Nidd Valley Railway which was closed in 1964. Meet at Pateley bottom car park opposite Towlers at 6pm to car share or 6.30pm at Killinghall Old Bridge. (This is just off the A61 on the left immediately after the new traffic lights and there is plenty of parking here). The organiser is Will Rich Picture courtesy of Matt O’Brien Page 2 Friday June 13th (half or full day) Malham Tarn and Cove We take the boardwalk to explore the unique habitat of Malham Tarn NNR raised bog, which should be full of warblers and other songbirds. After a break in the National Trust’s hide overlooking the Tarn, we will drive via YWT’s delightful globeflower wood to the south side of the Tarn to look for yellow wagtails around Malham Water. There is the option to make a full day by driving down to the main carpark in the village (loos, cafes) and walking back to the RSPB Peregrine watch at the cove, where Little Owls, Redstarts and Green Woodpeckers are also regularly seen. Meet at Pateley at 8.30am or in the old quarry (carpark) on the Settle-Arncliffe road on the north side of the tarn at GR883672 at 9.30am. The organiser is Lesley Knight Monday 16th June (Evening) Timble Ings This is an evening walk and bird watch through the woods and clearings at Timble on the edge of moorland. We hope for Tree Pipit and for Long-eared Owls. For those who would like to, we will wait until dusk for roding woodcock and to see if night-jars are present. For car sharers meet at the Pateley rendezvous at 7 pm or if going direct at 7.30pm at the parking area in Timble which can be reached by taking the Otley road from the A59 at Blubberhouses and turning right at Timble/Swinsty crossroads; there is parking on the left a few hundred metres along this track.PS Bring midge repellent! The organiser is Ros Wade Sunday 22nd June Flamborough Head This is a full day trip including a 2 hour guided morning walk by Richard Baines who is a local ornithologist and conservationist. He will tell us about wildlife conservation on Flamborough Head and give us up to date information about local bird sightings. There will be time to explore the area further after lunch. Meet at Flamborough Head Lighthouse car park at 10.15pm. ( There are toilets and 2 cafes). *There will be a charge for this visit to cover the cost of the guided walk. This will be no more than £5 and depends on the number attending The organiser is Chris Seaman Friday 11th July Photography Day at Grimwith Reservoir with Veronica Caperon Veronica is a professional photographer based in Austwick who leads photography walks and workshops for groups including RSPB. We meet in Pateley Bridge Council Chamber at 9.30. After an introduction to the workshop we will proceed to Grimwith and take a short stroll around the shore and adjacent woods looking for photogenic habitats, preferably with birds in, and the views for ambience. Veronica’s style is informal: she will advise on choosing and framing interesting images and provide technical tips and advice for all types of camera and levels of experience. Weather permitting, we will have a picnic lunch (loos available) and later in the afternoon return to Pateley to review our efforts. Bring a memory stick or PC connector and a laptop/tripod if you like. *If you take a camera, the fee for the day will be £35, but non photographers are welcome to come along and bird watch without charge. The organiser is Lesley Knight Monday 21st July (Evening) Duck Street Quarry A natural history evening on Greenhow. This nature reserve on Greenhow is marvellous for flowers and butterflies and we should see some birds too. Bring a flower guide and/or butterfly book if that is your interest. Meet PBCP at 6.30 or 6.45 in the layby outside Duck Street Quarry The organiser is Sheila Nash Page 3 A NEW PIN-UP FOR YOUR KITCHEN NOTICE BOARD to remind you of what’s on offer this summer and early autumn Month Date Venue and Type of Event Organiser May Friday 9th Danby Beacon and Forest Sheila Nash Full day trip Saturday 17th Strid Woods Colin Slator Early morning walk Monday 19th Ripley – Nidderdale Greenway Will Rich Evening Walk June Friday 13th Malham Tarn and Cove Lesley Knight Half or full day trip – your choice Monday 16th Timble Ings Ros Wade Evening Walk round the NT Woods Sunday 22nd Flamborough Head Chris Seaman Full Day Trip with guided walk There will be a charge for the walk July Friday 11th Photography Day at Grimwith Lesley Knight Photography with Veronica Caperon Charge (£35) for photographers only Monday 21st Duck Street Quarry Sheila Nash Evening Walk August Friday 8th Staveley Half Day Visit Monday 18th Pateley to Glasshouses Ramble Evening Walk September Friday 12th Blacktoft and Alkborough A full day visit Monday 15th Kamchatka Travels by Tony Knowles An illustrated talk at The Royal Oak Monday 22nd Nidderdale Show Visit the Club stand at the Show Saturday 27th Hackfall Half day trip Page 4 CLUB EVENTS Reports from members on past outings Friday 14th February Nosterfield It was a surprisingly dry and bright Valentine’s morning and on arrival at Nosterfield reserve some of the twelve members were greeted by the song of a Skylark.