Evening walk along POCKLINGTON CANAL 26th July

YOC evening walk along POCKLINGTON CANAL from Hagg Bridge on 26th July

Despite being rather overcast, a near club record of twenty two of us joined Terry at 7pm for an evening walk along the canal from Hagg Bridge walking towards Wheldrake. We got as far as ‘Swing Bridge Number 2’ looking across to Andy Booth Hide at Wheldrake before slowly retracing our steps.  The undoubted highlights were prolonged close views of hunting (successfully on several occasions) Barn Owls, two Little Owls (obligingly visible sitting on fence posts)  Curlew flying over low calling and a Kingfisher that landed in a tree before shooting off in the direction of Hagg Bridge on our way back (though I might have been the only one to see the latter). We were entertained by a mixed flock of Swallows, House Martins and Swifts feeding almost in slow motion overhead too.

Other birds seen were (in no particular order): Lapwing, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Woodpigeon, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Lesser Whitethroat, Red-legged Partridge, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Pheasant (masses of youngish birds, presumably from the pens near by), Kestrel, Stock Dove, Linnet, Reed Warbler, Coot, Goldfinch, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Collared Dove, Long-tailed Tit (family party), Blue Tit, Mallard and Sparrowhawk (seen by Helen).

On the mammal front, there were seven or eight Hares about and a Mink (photographed by Mark Coates, which appeared to be carrying a youngster – certainly it ignored the pheasants as it ran past them)!

Terry also pointed out various plants of interest including Marsh Woundwort and Sneezewort.

Many thanks to Terry for leading a most enjoyable walk, rounded off by a drink at the Melbourne Arms as it grew dark.

Jane Chapman