With much of the north of England, including Yorkshire, currently experiencing a
considerable amount of flooding, it will come as no surprise that the LDV is
presently underwater. Rising water levels since just before Christmas saw the
river banks at North Duffield Carrs finally overtopped on the 27th, by
the 29th the site had all but disappeared – leaving just the odd
fence posts, gates and bushes only just visible around the vast sheets of water,
(along with the roof top of Garganey Hide). Access onto the NNR is currently
restricted to views from Bank Island, Thorganby Village Hall viewing platform,
the Geoff Smith Hide at North Duffield Carrs and Ellerton churchyard. The
wintering waterfowl (including 8000+ Wigeon, 6000 Teal and 2000 Greylags) are
well scattered throughout the vast flooded landscape, however not all of the wildlife
on the NNR will be finding the conditions so easy – including the mole which
swam past the hide at North Duffield Carrs last week – a sight you don’t see
every day…
Bank Island
Bubwith
Footpath to Wheldrake Ings
Getting out and about on our NNR’s is a great way of having some
fresh air, exercise and a chance to see some of the special wildlife which
shares our local area. If this appeals then why not join Natural England’s NNR
Reserve Manager Fallon Mahon for a New Year’s ‘Winter Warmer’ walk on Skipwith
Common NNR this Sunday (10th January), starting at 11 am from the
King Rudding Lane car park (off the A19). The event, arranged by the
Friends of Skipwith Common is free (with donations welcome), and will last
approximately an hour and a half, starting with a warming drink of Mulled
Wine. Come along and find out about the management of the site, the recent
works that have taken place over the last few months and the grazing livestock,
whilst looking out for Green Woodpeckers, Woodcock, Jays and other wildlife,
such as this Roe Deer which was photographed on the Common.
Roe Deer
Fantastic shot of the roe deer!
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