Wheldrake Ings evening walk – 29th April

A sunny, breezy evening was enjoyed by 24 Club members for our walk at Wheldrake Ings. 

Worries about parking were misplaced and there was room for all and we assembled by the bridge for a briefing before a walk along the Derwent to the hides. Some attendees saw a male Mandarin on the river before the event.

Having stated this was ‘not a Whimbrel walk’ as it had been advertised in the past, we were surprised that one of our first birds was in fact a Whimbrel, which called loudly as it flew past us across the meadow!  Along the riverside, we enjoyed views of a particularly showy and vocal Garden Warbler, along with a number of Whitethroats, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. A pair of Common Terns flew past the Riverside Screen heading for the Pool, one of which was carring a fish. Sure enough, the terns were on the distant raft, whilst on the closer one, a pair of Oystercatchers were loafing. Shortly, the birds switched places, giving us great views of the terns. 

We walked down to Swantail and a Cuckoo flew out across the refuge, before alighting on a favourite song post, a large Ash alongside the Canal, where it sporadically sang. A few Wigeon, Teal, a pair of Pintail and a Great Crested Grebe lingered on the diminishing floodwater, whilst Sand and House Martins and a few Swallows hawked overhead. Both Sedge and Reed Warblers sang from the depths of the reedbed and we spent a bit of time enjoying the sunset and shelter in Swantail Hide. Both the injured Whooper Swan and Pink-footed Goose were present along with a male Marsh Harrier. 

As the gloom gathered, we walked back towards the Tower Hide. It was notable how few waders were present, with only a few Lapwings, a Redshank and an occasional Curlew heard. No Snipe were drumming , which was unusual. At dusk, sharp eyes picked out a Hobby, scything across the meadow catching insects. It put on a great show and was a glorious end to an enjoyable evening.

Many thanks, Jono Leadley and Duncan Bye