08/02/19 - Wintery weather

Although the relatively dry conditions of this winter seem set to continue, it’s certainly felt somewhat more wintery and colder of late. Armed with the correct footwear and clothing to keep out that winter chill, the LDV is a fantastic place to visit at this time of year. The local Barn Owls have been out in force and showing well at Bank Island, as the cold conditions have forced them to hunt throughout the day to maintain their body condition. As well as at the NNR Base, a number of individuals have also been seen throughout the wider area – Wheldrake Ings, North Duffield Carrs, Ellerton churchyard and the Pocklington Canal towpath around Melbourne are great places to look out for these birds. 

The same freezing conditions have caused a mass departure of the valley’s wintering waders, with the 8000+ strong Lapwing flocks present throughout much of January having been displaced to find easier feeding opportunities – perhaps on the Humber Estuary, whilst many of our ducks have taken refuge away from the frozen Ings to the sanctuary and open water of the river. Please respect the signs around the valley concerning access and the need to reduce disturbance, especially at this difficult time when the birds need to conserve as much energy as possible – thank you.