Trip reports

Bolton Abbey. Sunday, 17th May, 2009

Sunday, 17 May 2009

Pick-ups were complete by 8.30 am and we left Guisborough with 39 members aboard. A journey of just 90 minutes brought us to the car park at Bolton Abbey, where we disembarked and split into two groups.
MS led one group through the 'hole in the wall' and across to the far side of the river, whilst JH led the second group, staying on the near side of the river.
This report follows the second of the two groups.
Once through the 'hole in the wall' we turned right, along the waters edge, and it was not long before we began to clock up some good sightings. Down river was goosander, overhead was swallow. There were jackdaws in the field and both pied and grey wagtails at the water's edge.
Turning back towards our start point, we saw our first dipper -one of a number seen during the day- and mallard with chicks. Swift and sand martin flew above, whilst black-headed gulls rested on the riverbank. Mistle thrush was spotted in the cemetery, with robin, chaffinch, wood pigeon, goldfinch and crow in the vicinity.
As we headed along river towards the Cavendish Pavilion, we saw oystercatcher and more goosander and dipper.
Passing the pavilion, we moved into Strid Wood, catching sight of wren, coal tit, and blackbird as we progressed. Wood warbler was heard but at this point not seen.
Great spotted woodpecker made a fleeting appearance and, at our lunch stop by the Strid, redstart was seen by some of the group.
After lunch we continued along the river towards Barden Tower, with male and female mandarin, common sandpiper, song thrush and kingfisher on the way. Crossing the bridge, we met up with the first group and exchanged notes before moving on. Our target species for this side of the river were soon located, with excellent views of pied flycatcher, wood warbler and nuthatch. It was at this point that the weather broke and we hurriedly donned our waterproofs. Fortunately, though heavy, the rain lasted just 20 minutes and by the time we reached the pavilion again, things had improved once more. With a final sighting of Heron by the river, we returned to our coach and set off for home at 4 pm.
P.S. Species seen by the first group also included blackcap and treecreeper.

So - to answer those questions: - No (still a favourite.) Yes (barring 20 minutes), Yes (best turnout for a long time), Yes (including some really excellent sightings) and Yes (without exception)