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Staveley YWT Reserve 3rd September 2017

led by Keith Gittens

Ryenats members


A total of seven members and one guest met at the reserve car park on a somewhat non-descript day. Our first stop was the pond near the community orchard. This was unfortunately dry and any signs of insect activity were subdued but eventually a female Migrant Hawker was discovered egg laying.

We continued in to the reserve stopping at the hides overlooking the east lake and spending sometime near a meadow area and ponds. The meadow contained such plants as Meadow Rue and Devil’s Bit Scabious. A lone Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly was seen. There were occasional sightings of Migrant Hawker and Common Darter Dragonflies.

Ryenats members

After lunch in one of the hides we walked over to the large circular hide that overlooks the Western Lake. There were very few waders with only an occasional Common Snipe seen. Ducks seen included Shoveler and Teal. There were some interesting plants including wild carrot, and we also saw a pretty banded snail.

Wild carrot Daucus carota
Wild carrot Daucus carota showing the characteristic red central flower (above)




Banded snail on greater bindweed (right)
Banded snail on greater bindweed

On our return to the car park, two Red Kites were spotted hunting over the reserve and were the highlight of the walk.

Staveley info board
Information board at the entrance



© Ryedale Natural History Society 2017, Photos © Gill Smith 2017 Back to the Home page