More Exciting Sightings!

On the way to the wetland hide is the platform which gives a lovely view of Risedale Beck.  There are Primroses on the bank, soon to be joined by Bluebells and nest boxes on trees.  On the interpretive panel by the platform it mentions that Otters may be sighted from here.  Today one was!  Unfortunately no Otter photo, just a view down the bank to the beck.

Children often ask how I notice different flora and fauna.  My answer is that I am looking for something that should not be there.  A red mark could be a ladybird, a slight movement on the rail of the bridge could be an insect.  Of course sometimes that white/grey mark turns out to be a bird dropping!  On driving up the access road I saw something on the very top of a tree.  Out came the trusty camera and full zoom, yet again, I took several photographs.  On closer inspection it was a Meadow Pipit.

These birds have a very long hind claw and this can be easily seen on this photo.

The Grey Wagtail has been seen near the lake and beck leaving the lake.  Some photos were taken but it really was too far away. 

Late last summer Linda, the botany recorder for VC65, re-introduced some Mealy Primroses, Primula farinosa.  They have survived the winter and the flower heads are just starting to appear.