Monday, August 3
After opening cards and presents, emptying the moth trap, breakfast, and a phone conversation with daughter Sara in Australia, it was late morning when we set off for Staveley. It's a reserve based on some old gravel pits, details of which I found in Neil Glenn's excellent where to watch birds in Yorkshire book. I was really looking forward to some birds, especially passage waders, unusual wildflowers, dragonflies and the best place in Yorkshire to see otters. I feel starved of wildlife watching.
The SatNav found it easily, the small main car park that is. Pam went off to reconnoitre the area, especially to find the promised blue badge parking. She returned having met a man who told her that the blue badge parking was several hundred yards back down the road, only accessible using a radar key. We looked at the map, seeing that the badge entry took us a good way onto the reserve, whilst it was a long haul from the car park. I wish that Glenn's book had informed us of that.
We returned to Skipton via a short stop at a lake in front of a stately home from which we saw Grey Heron, Little Egret, Sand Martins, and an assortment of grotty Mallard and Greylag Geese.
We lunched in a gateway overlooking a sheep field where Swallows were hawking for insects.
Shortly afterwards, I noticed a spectacular array of geodesic domes which put Mundesley's to shame.
This was RAF Menwith
Royal Air Force (RAF) Menwith Hill is a Royal Air Force station in North Yorkshire, England. The 421st Air Base Group provides the majority of support services but the base is commanded by an officer of the RAF. The main mission on base is to monitor communications and provide intelligence support services to the UK and the US.
The things that go on.....
We needed petrol, having not passed a fuel station in the last two days. We found one via a short detour through Skipton. Cheap fuel, newspapers and an icecream is Pam's idea of bliss.
We're becoming familiar with a road we call Ian's. It's lined on both sides by a healthy growth of Ragwort. He should be there removing it, as he does at Cley reserve. No danger to cattle here though.
About a mile from our final turnoff to the cottage, a young man waved us down, preventing us from entering the lane as a large flock of sheep was being moved to a new pasture. Not a sheep in sight, Pam was able to ask him a few questions. The flock consisted of Texels, Mules, and a few Swaledale. He helped his father out at his farm in the summertime.
The flock of several hundred animals. herded by a small vehicle, sheepdog sat in the back, gradually appeared. I took a few photos through the front screen.
Another plan which went awry was that Pam left her camera at the cottage, and I forgot the new battery for my main camera. That left us with one bridge camera and two memory cards to juggle.
The moth trap was wet again after heavy showers during the night. A few new species for the year. Green and Flame Carpet,
Orange Swift,
Muslin Footman, Ear Moth and Cloaked Pug. Plenty more Antlers which I photographed this time.
Yesterday's escapee has been identified as Grey Mountain Carpet.
I had a wonderful array of cards this morning, all thoughtfully sent before leaving for Yorkshire. Much appreciated.
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