Hes East & LDV 9th Aug
16 of us explored Hes East in the morning. I wasn’t expecting much with the whole site in the grip of drought and the lake levels lower than they have ever been since it was filled in 2011. And despite large areas of exposed mud the only wader was a Common Sandpiper showing well on the dam wall at the west end with a Kingfisher perched in the tree above.
Other notable birds were an immature Green Woodpecker (the first I have seen on the south shore), and a trio of Yellow, Grey and Yellow wagtails feeding on the mud at the east end.
In total we had 50 species of birds and Otter spraint on the shore at the west end. The most notable dragonfly was a single Lesser Emperor, which until recently was an incredibly rare vagrant to the UK, but is now breeding on Hes East.
It was a good, gentle ‘potter’ for three hours, when we then left to go to Wheldrake, where Duncan took over.
For those who came, lunch on the roof of the new Headquarters with great views out over the reserve revealed just what a good observation post this is going to be for (amongst others)n raptors.
John
At Bank Island / Wheldrake Ings, the drought has only left some water in front of Swantail.
Bank Island was generally quiet. Some of the group picked up a Clouded Yellow just over the bridge at Wheldrake Ings.
Then on reaching tower hide, where the meadow is still green, the large corvid flock also contained a flock of 20 Curlew and 79 Lapwing,
We also managed to pick up a couple of surprises, with a Whimbrel and a Golden Plover feeding in the meadow amongst the flocks.
There was also a Marsh Harrier hunting along the canal and several Buzzard and Red Kite. While the pool almost completely dry did have a juvenile Water Rail & a single Green Sandpiper also put in a brief appearance.
Swantail produced a showier Green Sandpiper along with a Snipe and a Gadwall, and a Peregrine was picked up after flushing the wader & corvid flock from the meadow.
Duncan