Page 6 - Out Birding August 2022

short Ripon canal comes out to meet the river. We saw a possible Osprey high up and against the sun; we probably all had some doubts, but Paul later confirmed it with photographic evidence – a Buzzard. There were a good number of those about, plus Red Kite, Kestrel and a Sparrowhawk.
After lunch, we decided that we had probably seen what there was on offer – it’s not a huge reserve – and so we drove to Nosterfield, about 8 miles further on. This site is about 150 hectares and is regarded as North Yorkshire’s premier wetland reserve, opened in 2001. It was quarried, but the key feature is a natural aquifer which means that the water level fluctuates dramatically, typically around 2.5 metres a year. It is run by the Lower Ure Conservation Trust. Straight away from the viewing area in the car park, we picked up some beautiful Ruff, Black-tailed Godwit in breeding plumage, Ringed Plover, Redshank, Lapwing and Curlew as well as all the range of duck seen previously in the day. We kept warm in the main hide and visitor centre and when we’d had our fill, drove the short distance to the next site, still a working quarry but has three accessible lakes, Flask, Lingham and Kiln, with good flat paths around each. We spotted a strange looking goose among the Greylag, and a bit of detective work led to us thinking it was a Tundra Bean Goose, though whether it was a pure specimen, who knows. Lots of rabbits burrowing in the sandy area around the lakes kept us entertained too.
A walk to where the Osprey platform has been erected led us to hear our first Willow Warbler of the year, but no Osprey. Osprey certainly pass through here and have been regular since 2015, with one being sighted only a week ago. This site would be worth a GBC outing in itself, as it’s extensive, and the Nosterfield area often throws up rarities such as Hen Harrier. It was a good day out and so special to be seeing each other again. Rachael
Padley Gorge 23/04/2022
6 of us met up at Grindleford to walk up Padley Gorge to look for fly catchers. Thanks to Richard for organising the event but sadly he wasn’t able to attend as he was ill.
I know the area of the northern peak district between Hathersage and Sheffield quite well as did Paul, so we ( including Laura, Moira, Kerry and Jules) drove round to the roadside parking and then all walked through the gorge to the right of the stream. Padley Gorge is a lovely ancient woodland in a deep gorge with a stream and small waterfalls running along it. It’s a great example of an inland temperate rainforest. The trees are old and twisted and covered in green mosses and algae. It is also a special nesting area for Spotted and Pied Flycatchers with nest boxes installed throughout the wood. Plenty of Pied Flycatcher were seen but it was too early for the Spotted. We also saw lots of Nuthatch and Treecreeper activity .
After a slow walk up and down the gorge, we moved onto windy higher ground to nearby moorlands to look for Ring Ouzel. They started to return 2 to 3 weeks before and had begun to make nests. We sat for an hour watching some of the rocks where surprising numbers of Ouzels nest despite the climbing activity all around them. This part of the peaks has many gritstone edges which are all climbing routes, but the birds come back each year and nest in the crevices on the rocks. The routes where they nest are taped off and generally the climbers and Ouzels accommodate each other well. However, we did witness a couple dash out from their nests, alarm calling as people came too close. It gave us a good view and we later saw one feeding on the pathway.
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