All posts by Steve Parkes

August 8th Kingfisher and Otter!

WhatsApp Image 2022-08-10 at 2.15.46 PMWhatsApp Image 2022-08-10 at 2.26.50 PM

The secret to spotting otters is to go birdwatching and wait for a kingfisher to appear. That’s what Frank Munkes a regular visitor to the reserve did on Monday morning with stunning results. I believe we have here a male kingfisher eating a stickleback and a dog otter that includes the this section of the wharfe in its territory. Its the best otter photo I’ve seen taken at the reserve. Thanks for sharing Frank

Butterflies

When visiting the reserve why not take a few minutes checking out the butterfly info. You can see photos of our main species and a handy table to see which butterflies you have a chance of seeing that week. Warm, still, sunny times are best. When the sun comes out after rain shower can be productive. In May  we had speckled wood, brimstone, small copper, small tortoiseshell, orange tip, holly blue, and  orange tip  and peacock.

butterfly notice

Butterfly flights

Orchids

Wonderful to see that the orchids are back in abundance this year after the massive decline a few years ago. Many are quite small which may be down the dry spring.. Estimate around 200 flowering stems. Most are southern marsh orchid with a few common spotted orchids and hybrids of the two. The large fenced area may have helped a bit but those outside haven’t had their heads chewed of by rabbits, fingers crossed. Please me careful where you walk…. enjoyOrchids June 22

American Signal Crayfish

 

crayfish

We discovered this American signal crayfish whilst working on restoring the beck. These were introduced into the wharfe over 20yrs ago and have spread everywhere. Unfortunately they brought a virus with them that our native crayfish are very vulnerable to and are now locally extinct.  I believe this is a large male. It is an offence to remove them from the river as its been discovered that they eat smaller signal crayfish and thereby keep the overall numbers down. They are also a popular food source for our local otters