For a change this year we have decided to run two Saturday fieldtrips for those who can't make Sundays and this, the second of them, is to Bolton Abbey near Skipton in Yorkshire. It takes about 90 minutes to get there via the M65 motorway and there is an admission fee which covers entry to the grounds and parking which is £10 per car. We hope to share the costs of this by getting four people in each parked car when we arrive making it just £2.50 each.
The walk itself is along one side of the River Wharfe and returning along the other. It's 5-6 miles in length with the only toilets at the Cavendish Cafe at the beginning and end of the walk. We can have a packed lunch at the first bridge where some may decide to return. However there is a further bridge another 15 minutes up the river and it is well worth going to this as currently there are Mandarin Duck, Common Sandpiper and a Treecreeper nest there along with House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows.
Strid Woods at Bolton Abbey is usually home to three superb summer migrant birds: the Wood Warbler, the Redstart and the Pied Flycatcher and we could see all three on our trip although on a recent recognisance trip no Redstarts or Wood Warblers were currently being seen or heard.
It's a beautiful place with many Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Goosander on the River Wharfe and all the common woodland birds you would expect.
Meet at Doctors Nook car park at the slightly earlier time of 7:30am to arrange car sharing and minimise the number of cars travelling from Leigh - please note there is a charge at Doctors Nook car park on Saturdays. Bring a packed lunch and appropriate footwear. Everyone is welcome.
