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Spring Tour Reviews 2014
Wed 2nd Apr, 2014
Our 2014 National Park Safari tours have got off to a great start and several of our customers have sent us reviews. With the permission of the writers, we decided to share a couple of the most recent, one short, one longer, to give you an idea of the wildlife we might see on spring tours.
David Hubbard, 23rd March 2014
Talk of the day was the recent sightings of a White-tailed Eagle, so we left Seamer station hoping to get a sighting. Unfortunately it was not to be seen but we did get views of Goshawks and Buzzards. Next on the agenda was Deepdale where we hoped to find Adders. With the help of 'Snake Eyes Dan' we got views of one that was well concealed in the bracken. We'd never have seen it without Dan's help. Next site was more productive with two males and a juvenile basking in the open to give a great photo opportunity. After lunch we went in search of closer views of Goshawks and, hopefully, Crossbills. We had excellent views of a female Goshawk displaying with a male. The Crossbills were more elusive with only a fleeting glimpse of one in flight. We finished the day back at Seamer with Adders taking star billing for the day. Thanks to Richard and Dan for a great day.
Daphne Pleace, 29th March 2014
It’s a misty, chilly start to the day. I’m particularly hoping to see Goshawks and Crossbills, and the website write-up tells me I might see Adders, but not having been successful before, I am not hopeful.
We’re soon off to Wycombe Lake. It’s still misty, but we can just make out a variety of waterfowl, including an attractive Egyptian Goose. Richard fixes the scope so I can see a Pink-footed and a Greylag Goose swimming close together. This is excellent for a size comparison.
Next, we move on to a lovely location where Steve had discovered a breeding pair of Little Owls. We see a small flock of Long-tailed Tits working the hedge-line, and a male Kestrel displaying its colours beautifully as the sun begins to break through. Finally, excellent views of a Little Owl, continually twisting its head back to check inside its nest.
In Wycombe Forest we walk among the conifers looking for Siskin and Crossbills; always on the watch for a ‘Gos’. We soon see Siskin and have tantalising glimpses of a Goshawk. Our Crossbill is a glorious russety male, preening for several minutes, and again, great views in the scope.
We meet Dan, and as the day’s temperature is now as high as it will get, it’s time to go an-Addering. The two Adders we find are basking in the hazy sunlight, showing off their beautiful zigzag patterning. Black, I learn, for males, dark brown for females. We have close and long-lasting views, and they become more active, tongues darting, unwinding themselves from each other. Dan finds a toad for us, and a tiny lizard. He holds it in his hand so we might see it close-up.
We move on to Hilla Green, next to the river, where immediately we see a pair of Grey Wagtails, and the unmistakeable flash of Kingfisher. A final brief sighting of Goshawk, then to Forge Valley feeding station where we watch various tits and a small war between a Stock Dove and a Wood Pigeon.
As the mist and the chill return, our day ends at Seamer station.