About the reserve

A walk at Wheldrake Ings is a chance to press pause on daily life, breathe and take in the stunning wildlife spectacles that change dramatically across the seasons.

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 - an incredible sight to behold in its own rights, but also an enjoyable challenge for keen birders looking for something unusual among the masses of birds. It could be a smew, scaup, or even something rarer, like an American wigeon or green-winged teal. Suddenly hundreds of ducks and waders rise noisily up from the water and chaos briefly ensues, as a hunting peregrine or marsh harrier scatters the flock. 

Spring is very different. The reserve is alive with the songs of warblers, the meadow is drying out and wildflowers emerge in abundance, bustling with insects. Listen for the call of cuckoos and watch in awe as hobbies dash over the grassland and wetland.

Endless possibilities 

There's so much to discover here - the calls of curlews, snipe and skylarks in the spring, a glimpse of an otter or kingfisher along the river, rare plants in the meadow... To see the flowers at their best, join a guided event in summer, as there's no access into the meadow. 

Bring binoculars or a telescope to get the best views of the birds on the water from the three hides, and keep an eye out for elusive species like spotted crake and water rail, as well as breeding willow tits. Spring and autumn are best times to check for rare migrants.