Planning an outdoor event in the middle of December is always a gamble, and this time 15 of us found ourselves with the forecast of Storm Bram. Colin accordingly amended his plans to include the hides at High Batts and Nosterfield. Although showery, it was remarkably warm at the Batts – 15oC – and half the party set off into the reserve while the rest of us enjoyed the cosy hide. There was a wonderful display of Goldfinches and occasional visits by Siskin, Marsh Tit and Long Tailed Tit. The outdoor party reported a flushed Woodcock and similar woodland birds, and we now set off to Nosterfield.
Here we appeared to have cornered the market in Teal; some Curlew loafed on the further shore and there was a sprinkling of geese, gulls and Wigeon.
We returned to the golf club to be join the other 9 members in time for our festive lunch – after which it was too dark, too late, and we were possibly too full to visit the Ripon wetland, which was in any case reported to have a rather poor showing of starlings. A lovely day – good company, good places, good food.
Many thanks to Colin, who somehow always manages to find us wildlife interest at the most difficult time of the year, and never fails to entertain us with his humour!
Muff
