Colin Slator once again offered members a guided Christmas Walk. It was an all day event which started at Nosterfield Quarry on a very cold but still morning. The highlight of the morning was a visit to the innovative Flask Fen project. Despite the chill, Laurie and Pandora were on hand to guide us round the planting. They described the methods used to recreate the fenland assemblage of wetland plants which remain in small fragments after the retreat of the ice and subsequent drainage of the Swale Ure washlands. Many thanks to them both for coming out on such a cold day.
Our walk continued to the Flasks Reedbed, after a great view of a Green Woodpecker on the causeway and two Whooper Swans lifting off from Flask Lake to fly towards Lingham. The open water was frozen over but it was clear of ice deep in the reeds and several Grey Herons were seen relocating from one area to another and a tantalising view of a possible Bittern. Kiln Lake was very busy with whistling Wigeon with fewer numbers of Gadwall, Teal, Mallard and Goldeneye. We called into the fields around Sleningford Mill to see Golden Plover, Lapwing, Fieldfare and Stock Doves feeding with a crouching Brown Hare hunkering down.
Our Christmas lunch was at Ripon Golf Club and it was a very welcome warm space with a lovely meal which we lingered over until it was time to venture out into the cold again to visit the Starling murmuration at Ripon City Wetlands. My goodness, what a spectacular display 100,000 Starlings can do to warm you up. Nobody was feeling the cold as we watched the display for nearly an hour. We left them chattering to each other and the air was so still they could still be heard a 100m away. As we watched the Starling show two Water Rails were heard squealing and a Cetti’s Warbler or two were communicating their feelings loudly.
Once again, many thanks to Colin for a lively, enlightening walk.
Sue Coldwell
