Field Trip: The Length of the Valley Part 1
Sunday 27th June – The Length of the Valley – Part 1, Sculthorpe Moor & Great Ryburgh
On what promised and proved to be a sweltering hot day 19 members gathered in the car park at Sculthorpe Moor HOT (Hawk and Owl Trust) Reserve. After putting on the suncream and paying our donations we set off. Even before we got to the boardwalks a Barn Owl was spotted flying, with prey in its talons, towards Sculthorpe village to where it presumably has young in the nest.
Splitting into two manageable groups at the first junction of the boardwalk half went to the woodland hide while the rest set off to the fen hides. Marsh Tit and Treecreeper were among the delights in the woodland along with Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Along the trail a pair of Spotted Flycatchers were located. What one might imagine as a drab little LBJ, this rapidly declining summer visitor was a delight to watch as it sallied forth from its perch twisting and turning in the air to take flying insects, often returning to the same perch. All were excited by at least 1 pair of Marsh Harriers flying over the reserve. A brief view of a Hobby was had by a lucky few. Cuckoo called frequently while Swifts, Swallows & House Martins hawked for insects above the reserve. On the return trip to the car park a male Golden Pheasant was spotted. Despite going into moult, most of its tail was missing, it was still a magnificent sight.
After 2½ hours we departed Sculthorpe Moor and headed to Great Ryburgh Raptor Watchpoint. Here we sat and frazzled for very little reward. The hoped-for Honey Buzzard, and even Hobbies, refused to show. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel & Lapwing were all that showed as we looked out over Sennowe Park in the blistering heat. A superbly coloured male Yellowhammer flew around close to us.
Having finished our lunches a decision had to be made – do we do the planned walk back to the village or abandon it due to the heat. Jacky sensibly decided to abort. For the England fans among us it was still the right decision despite their abysmal performance that afternoon!! The birdwatching may not have been as good as we hoped but with about 50 species recorded it had certainly been far more enjoyable than watching the match!
Our thanks to Jacky for organising and leading the trip.
Ray Gribble