Trip reports
Yorkshire enigma
Barry Proffitt January 2010
Sunday, 24 January 2010
Almost immediately, along the track only a few yards from the Visitor Centre a small mixed flock of Goldfinches and Lesser Redpoll entertained with their acrobatic displays amongst the treetop alder cones. Robins sang their bright wintery song from several vantage points and small groups of geese flew overhead, honking noisily to herald their arrival. In the hedgerows Blue and Great Tits flitted from twig to branch and back, eagerly seeking whaever sustenance they could find. Sadly a slow walk through the area of damp woodland where the Lesser Spotted Woodpecker had been seen failed to offer any sightings but a silver birch stump alive with fungi and lichen provided a bright landmark along the track.
The comfortable and well maintained hides provided welcome seats for both birdwatching and relaxed coffee sipping, giving time to reflect on how the site had developed and matured since the group first visited many years ago. Eventually we hauled up at the hide from which Bittern were regularly being seen. Prior to reaching the hide, several visitors had reported seeing two Bittern in the air at once, a rare treat indeed. Sadly, during the 45 minutes or so we were able to devote to it a single Bittern stayed determinedly in the reedbed, moving occasionally and visible mainly by the disturbance it caused in the reeds, with brief and intermittent showings and a short flight of a few yards. Tricky, but at least a sighting. The hoped for Kingfisher was seen by a few, missed by many. As the cold grey of early evening began to draw in the cheery Wolverhampton birdwatchers trooped back to their warm coach, merrily recalling the sights of the day and reflecting yet again on what a super place Potteric Carr is and what a refuge it provides for winter birds.