Our Reserve Manager was delighted to come across a
Short-eared Owl at Wheldrake Ings just before the turn of the year – no doubt a continental visitor
from further east in Europe, having successfully made the north-sea crossing during
October or November, and now enjoying the relatively warmer and easier hunting
conditions of a Yorkshire winter. Less commoner than they once were in the
valley, they are a real delight on a winter days birdwatching on any grassland
or wetland site. Along with the SEO, there have been plenty of other birds of
prey in action in the valley recently as the rapidly increasing wildfowl and
wader numbers attract various species. Two or three Marsh Harriers are still
lingering and have been spending their time ‘spooking’ Teal off the Ings and
along the river, whilst three Peregrines have been terrorising the flocks of Lapwings
and Wigeon and throughout the reserve. Buzzards are still common and widespread
throughout the surrounding area and good numbers of Kestrels have been present
at the edge of the now flooded Ings – no doubt hunting the concentrated and
displaced small mammals. When visiting the reserve please do let us know
what you’ve seen either on here or by using the log books provided, thank you.
Our amazing team of volunteers have been continuing the
hard work of late, finishing off the last of the fence removal and scrub clearance
on North Duffield Carrs, just in time for the winter floods. The team
have done an astounding job throughout the year, helping us week in week out,
in freezing temperatures, gale force winds, driving rain and in the baking heat
of the summer months. The dry autumn has meant we’ve been able not only to
complete more essential work than in previous years, but to also move onto the
long list of ‘extras’ as well. We wouldn’t know what to do without our
fantastic time of helpers, and were pleased to welcome new team member Kath to
the group as our latest recruit. Amongst our other jobs we’ve
also been busy collecting and splitting more timber and logs for the new year –
we are out of seasoned wood for now as we just can’t keep up with demand. However,
we should have some more ready by March and are busy filling the sheds for next
autumn. Many thanks to all our customers who have supported us and helped
finance great work and projects on the reserve.
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