Welcome to the LDV NNR ringing blog, this blog is designed to share the experiences, findings and tales from a group of dedicated ringers. We specialise in conservation orientated research projects, largely focusing on wildfowl, waders, owls and birds of conservation concern, in and around the Vale of York NNR's.

NB - Whilst the purpose of this blog was initially designed to cover our nationally important wildfowl ringing activities, it now also features wildlife and work posts, explaining how we manage the NNR for both wildlife and people.

For daily sightings please visit our Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ldv_nnr (@LDV_NNR)

For details of events, volunteer tasks and wildlife images please visit our Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/Lower-Derwent-Valley-Skipwith-Common-NNR

Wednesday, 8 April 2020

01/04/20 - Springtime

Whilst all of our work is currently on hold during the lockdown, our wildlife is continuing to arrive as spring starts to build momentum. Over the past few weeks (despite the extensive flooding), we’ve seen the return of many of our breeding birds, and with them are some of our most popular and best loved species – the Curlew and Skylark. Whilst both have been largely absent from the Ings over the winter, numbers have been increasing over recent weeks with up to 180 Curlew now present. It’s been great to hear their bubbling display and evocative calls across the site – the real sound of the Ings in spring, and one which we are fortunate to still be able to enjoy, with breeding Curlew in lowland England in a worrying state of decline.


Another favourite sound of the summer time Ings is the constant background song of Skylarks - with 103 singing or displaying birds recently counted along the floodbanks and over the flooded Ings. It’s incredible that they know where to hold their territory, seemingly predicting what the site will be like when the waters finally recede.

Once the lockdown is over our work posts will resume, in the meantime, we’ll post a few species to look out for from your gardens – and please feel free to share your sightings with us. We hope that all of our followers stay safe and well during this unprecedented time, and that everyone adheres to the government guidelines and advice.

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