Sunday 25 August 2013

YWT Pulfin Bog - 11 August 2013



A long, but enjoyable walk up the River Hull from the pub at Tickton, towards the wetland of Pulfin Bog. The site lies next to the large High Eske lake which held an unseasonal Goldeneye, many Tufted Duck, a few Great Crested Grebes and two Common Sandpipers. Pulfin itself is a little tricky to access as there are not really any marked footpaths, apart from the circular path around the lake which runs down the side of the nature reserve. There is a couple of gates allowing access to the Bog though it is not too clear where you walk. Donning  a pair of wellies would enable you to explore the site more freely though the vast reedbeds seem pretty much impenetrable! Lots of dragon and damselflies around including some impressive Brown and Southern Hawkers. No Hobbies noted which was unusual as they are frequently seen round here. 




YWT Keldmarsh - 11 August 2013



This small site tucked away next to Keldmarsh Primary School is a little lacklustre. It lies in the suburbs of Beverley and suffers from the careless activity of the locals. It is a wet, scrubby woodland with a few large Willows and other trees. Very little of note was seen here although mid-afternoon in the middle of August is probably not the best time to visit! The site is accessed by parking on Lincoln Way just south of the junction with the Woodmansey Mile and walking east across a path to the woodland.

YWT Kiplingcotes Chalk Pit - 11 August 2013



This lovely Wolds nature reserve is found on the South Dalton road heading east out of Market Weighton. It is close to Rifle Butts Quarry which was looking brilliant compared to when I saw it in late winter. The Clustered Bellflowers and other herbs were terrific and a family party of Willow Tits was a welcome surprise.

The book suggests parking by the roadside for ‘Kip’ but there is a decent sized car park only 500m west along the railway line. I parked here and walked east along the valley to the entrance where I tied up the dog as no dogs are allowed on site. Kip is a large chalk pit with a flat bottom grazed short like a billiard table by Rabbits. Thousands of Autumn Gentians were just coming into flower on the quarry bottom, with their dark blackish-green foliage creating a dusky sheen on the grassy sward. I followed the path up the steps on the northern side and up through a delightful calcareous meadow to a bench with a wonderful view to the west over the rolling Wolds. No Marbled Whites present today after reports of hundreds last weekend. Many other butterflies were present, mostly Meadow Browns. Lots of other nice flowers noticed including Carline Thistles, Eyebrights, Small, Field and Devil’s-bit Scabious and Wild Thyme. A few Little Owl feathers were found on site. 








YWT Brae Pasture - 10 August 2013



This was tricky to find and I am still not quite convinced I was in the right place! The hillside on which the site is found overlooks the large hills in the area and is a stone’s throw from the Ribble’s Head Viaduct. We parked in a gateway a little further north than the footpath shown in the book. The grassland had been cut and only the edges were packed with Harebells and other flowers. Meadow Pipits flitted about and the wooded gulley looks good for Redstart.