Twelve club members and their friends ventured into the countryside on 16 May to visit High Batts Nature Reserve near Ripon. This private reserve has excellent hides – some even with carpet on the seats for a comfy time – and well placed perches regularly topped up with tempting morsels (for the birds – not the visitors).
The weather was a little dull at first but brightened into the afternoon, persuading more of the wildlife to show itself, including woodpeckers, gold finches, a kingfisher and various hawks. On the ground were generous quantities of bluebells and garlic and some attractive reed beds plus a passing fox and some greylag geese.
Thanks are due to Julia Kay for suggesting the outing.