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Trip Report - 2008

The Field Trips Report for earlier years are still available.

Potteric Carr
12 February

The weather was perfect for today's trip, warm in the sun and no wind. On our arrival at 10:00 we decided to go straight to Piper Marsh hide where Bitterns had been regularly reported. We weren't disappointed and one was showing reasonably well when we arrived there. Another did a flypast in front of the hide before we moved on. There was also a Kingfisher excavating a nest hole. We knew the day couldn't get better! We struggled to find any waders and only managed a to find Lapwing and Snipe with a fleeting glimpse of a couple of Oystercatchers. The Huxter Well marsh area is still being developed and it is now feasible to walk around the perimeter - if only there was time. Three more hides are planned in that area. A good day was spent with 48 species recorded although we failed to find the Dunlin or Ringed Plovers which had been seen by others.

Carr Vale
18 April

Seven of us braved the icy easterly wind and were well rewarded for the effort. The feeders yielded great views of Bullfinch, Willow Tit, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. Thirty or more Swallows were joined by a few House Martins and Sand Martins over the water but failed to convince us summer was coming soon. Waders were represented by 3 Redshanks, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, several Lapwings and a pair of Oystercatchers. Other highlights included a Kingfisher and a roosting Little Owl. The mound was surprisingly warm and sheltered from the wind, unlike our usual lunch spot where we spotted a Sparrowhawk. As we passed the sewage works on our way back at least 13 Pied Wagtails were counted. Despite the cold wind, we managed a respectable count of 49 species with the added bonus of not getting wet!

Goyt Valley
12 May

Four members made the trip to the Goyt valley in glorious, hot and sunny weather. The birds were vociferous but very tricky to see. Our experts helped us identify Pied Flycatcher, Common Sandpiper, Tree Pipit and Redstart from their calls. We did manage to see one or two Redstarts but missed seeing the others. The hoped-for Wood Warblers were absent - or very quiet! After a couple of hours we decided to head back to the car and try our luck at Swallow Moss - to see if the Black Grouse were still there. On our way to the car we had a probable Peregrine, possibly two. We recorded 29 species in the valley. We spent an hour or so over lunch at Swallow Moss where we discovered that the Black Grouse have been missing for several years. We heard that Hobby and Grasshopper Warbler were quite active, but found neither. There were, however, lots of Redpolls about and a very loud Whitethroat and had a great view of another Peregrine. We returned to the valley via Hartington and Long Dale, where we had excellent views of a Little Owl from the car.

Whisby Pits
23 May

Rather cool but at least dry weather was enjoyed by 7 members. Disappointingly, only a couple of members caught snatches of Nightingale song - evidently, this was because they had paired up early and the males had fallen silent. Plenty of other warblers were present including a magnificent Garden Warbler and several singing Lesser Whitethroats, as well as Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. A pair of Little Ringed Plovers had a nest and a lone Greenshank was actively feeding. All in all, about 57 species were seen or heard. Some great views of a Four-spotted Chaser and other dragonflies, as well as butterflies also made the day very enjoyable.