A former sand and gravel quarry, this wetland reserve is a haven for birdlife with two hides giving great views over the lake. Wading birds and wildfowl are the stars of the show, with huge numbers of ducks wintering here, including nationally important numbers of wigeon, along with goldeneye, pochard, tufted duck, teal and shoveler. Large numbers of curlews also winter in the area, and can often be seen feeding on the grassland around the lake.
Bolton-on-Swale
Denaby Ings sits in an amazingly changeable landscape; the reserve sits on the old course of the river Dearne and next to its straightened new route, and the lake was formed when the river was blocked off by tipping coal spoil from a nearby mine.
The raised embankment that takes you to the two hides was previously the Dearne Valley Railway, which transported coal from the local mines. The hides offer wonderful views out over the main marsh and open water across to wooded crags in the distance, and is a great vantage point for goosander. You might even hear the boom of a reedbed-disguised bittern!
Sunset at Denaby Ings (c) Nabil Abbas
The Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve, just a few miles south-east of York, is one of Yorkshire’s premier wildlife destinations – and Wheldrake Ings is the jewel in its crown. A walk at Wheldrake Ings is a chance to press pause on daily life, breathe, and take in the stunning wildlife spectacles on offer.
In winter, the River Derwent floods, often turning the valley into a huge lake. The water attracts colossal numbers of ducks, geese, swans, gulls and waders – with rare gems amongst the multitude. Check on Twitter @LDV_NNR before you travel to ensure the reserve isn’t flooded!
From quarries and lorries to avocets and bitterns, the ongoing transformation of this working sand and gravel quarry into a shining example of a 21st-century wetland is truly extraordinary. North Cave Wetlands is positively dripping with wildlife, whatever the time of year!
In winter, it’s a paradise for wildfowl, welcoming large flocks of ducks and geese. Water rails and bitterns sometimes stray out of the reedbeds to the water’s edge too – all enjoyed from the reserve’s five perfectly positioned hides (with another due to open in the near future).
(C) John Potter
An inviting blend of woodland and wetland, Adel Dam offers tranquility and close encounters with wildlife on the north-west fringe of Leeds.
Kingfishers are Adel Dam’s star species but there are many other birds to look for from two hides, a viewing screen, and the paths around the reserve. Keep an eye out for woodland birds including great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, jays, finches and tits, as well as gooseanders and little grebe on the water.
Adel Dam nature reserve (c) John Potter
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