Fight festive excess and take a walk on the wild side

Wednesday 4th January 2012

Potteric Carr - Credit Kirsten Smith

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is encouraging people to celebrate the lengthening days, fight that Christmas excess and get outside for a day with nature.

The regional charity’s nature reserves are just the place for a winter walk and you might just spot some exciting wildlife too. If you take a trip to Potteric Carr near Doncaster you have a chance of seeing the rare and elusive bittern. At least one bird is wintering on the reserve and is seen regularly during the late afternoon. If it is cold, don’t forget to pop into the café for a warming mug of hot chocolate!

Staveley nature reserve near Knaresborough is a delightful place for a walk, with views over the meadows and lakes a joy on a frosty morning. Look out for owls here; barn and short-eared owls can be seen quartering the grasslands, and with luck you may spot roosting long-eared owls in the hedges.

Woodlands can be magical places in winter too. Grass Wood near Grassington can seem quiet on a winter’s day; turn a corner and you may come across a buzzing flock of tits and finches moving through the trees in search of food– perhaps even a nuthatch. Look out for roe deer and grey squirrels too.

For the hardy, how about a walk along the beach at Spurn? With the wind in the northeast you must wrap up warm. Sanderlings skitter along the beach and you may be lucky enough to see a grey seal or maybe a small flurry of snow buntings.

There are plenty of exciting things to do in early January, so don’t open up that last box of chocolates, get wrapped up and get out there and see what you can find. For more details about visiting such as opening times, events and recent sightings, check this website and if you spot anything interesting let us know on Facebook!
 

Tagged with: Bird, Grasswood, Potteric Carr, Spurn, Staveley, Walk