For our latest coach trip Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society ventured over the Pennines, a little further afield to Whisby Nature Park on the south side of the city of Lincoln. This large Reserve has been created by an area that was once used for quarrying sand and gravel and incorporates large lakes fringed by beds of Reedmace, grassy glades and pockets of woodland. There are at least 10 miles of easy waymarked paths to follow and over 500 plant species have been seen there plus several rare bird species have been known to drop in on their travels.
The group left Rochdale in clear blue skies and although the weather forecast was for cloud and rain on the East side of the country, the rain stayed away until the journey home.
Part of the journey too, although a little longer than usual, was of particular interest as the last 17 miles before reaching the outskirts of Lincoln were along the very straight Ermine Street (A15), a major Roman Road that originally ran from London – Lincoln – York.
As the beautiful cathedral came into view in the distance the coach passed the RAF base at Scampton that is famous for the 617 Dambusters Squadron. A single Red Arrow jet stood proud near the entrance to the camp as this is where the team are based.
On arrival at the Reserve as members alighted from the coach, the first thing they noticed was a large carpet of the very pretty delicate purple flowers of the Dovesfoot Cranesbill. It was the first of many of at least 50 species found by the keen botanists of the group. Some were in their first stages of sprouting to include the beautiful Early Purple Orchid and the meadows were all carpeted in Cowslips being visited by Small Copper and Brimstone Butterflies and several unidentified insects. Other plants merging included Germander and Field Speedwell, Forget-me-Not, Dog Violet, Greater Stitchwort, Bugloss and Storksbill.
Due to the Reserve having an excellent range of habitat the hedgerows were full of bird song from a variety of migrant warblers to include Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Chiff Chaff, with Whitethroats popping up to sing on various bushes. Water birds seen included Great Crested Grebes feeding young, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Gadwall, Little Egret and nobody could fail to miss the large numbers of Black-headed Gulls nesting on small islands. A solitary Black Tern that had only arrived recently was seen flying over one of the large lakes along with several hirundines feeding on insects over the water. For some also it was a first sighting of Swifts this year.
The highlight of the day though for a few of the group was to be lucky enough to hear and see a Nightingale that the Reserve is synonymous for. As they have disappeared from so many areas all over the country it is really encouraging to know that they are still returning to Whisby. Even though only three have returned (two males and a female) it is to be hoped that they will breed to return again another year.
As most of the group had walked a considerable distance during the day, refreshments in the lovely Cafe were more than welcome at the end of the afternoon.
Dinah Francis