Yorkshire wetlands offer winter walks and wildlife sightings

If you’re looking for a wintertime walk to get out and about, stretch your legs and enjoy some bracing fresh air, head to one of Yorkshire’s gorgeous wetlands, says Amy Cooper of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Each of our wonderful wetlands is different – a floodplain, a remnant of an ancient marsh or fen, a wild oasis reclaimed for nature from modern industry – and they are vital for wildlife. Forty per cent of the world’s species rely on wetlands in some way.

They are also brilliant for a walk. Most wetlands – by their very nature – are flat, with surfaced paths winding their way between reedbeds and mirror-like pools, and in the winter they are home to an extraordinary range of different wildlife. Booming bitterns, gaggles of geese, wading birds, birds of prey, even the bright azure flash of a kingfisher: all are possible for those willing to wander for an hour or two. A bench, a hot drink and some food from one of our on-site cafes provides the perfect finishing touches to

a few hours spent clearing the head and getting a breath of fresh air – and you might even be lucky enough to enjoy the swoop of a starling murmuration overhead as the pale day turns to dusk.

A bittern in the snow at North Cave.

North Cave Wetlands

From quarries and lorries to avocets and bitterns, the ongoing transformation of this working sand and gravel quarry into a shining example of a 21st-century wetland is truly extraordinary. No visit to North Cave Wetlands is complete without beginning (or ending) at the Butty Bus; hot food in hand, follow the paths out onto the reserve for as long – or short – a walk as you would like. As the reserve is ever-expanding thanks to our ongoing partnership with Breedon, the aggregate quarrying company next door, there’s almost always something new to see – not to mention six bird hides to choose from!

North Cave Wetlands has around two per cent of the national breeding population of avocets, one of Yorkshire’s biggest sand martin colonies and up to 2,000 pairs of black-headed gulls – as well as bearded reedlings, roe deer and more. In winter, it’s a paradise for wildfowl, welcoming large flocks of ducks and geese, and this year hosted breeding bitterns for the second time in a row. Listen out for their characteristic booming noise, which sounds like someone blowing over the top of a bottle.

Potteric Carr

This huge, diverse wonderland for wildlife really does have something for everyone – great facilities, fun activities, space to explore in joyful peace and so much wildlife you won’t know where to start.

The variety of habitats and numbers of wildlife here on the urban fringe of Doncaster might seem remarkable today, but this low-lying landscape is a remnant of a vast fenland that once stretched all the way to the coast. There’s an incredible variety of birds: wildfowl, warblers, waders, woodpeckers, willow tits… not to mention 20 per cent of Yorkshire’s breeding bittern population, nestled away on the far reaches of Huxterwell Marsh, roe deer, a dedicated winter Robin Festival and an extraordinary wealth of fungi.

Potteric is a place where you can really spend a whole day. There are miles of tracks to wander and explore through woodland, wetland and grassland, and a shop and café to tempt you at the end – our chip butties are legendary!

Retreat to Ripon City Wetlands.

Ripon City Wetlands

Nestled in alongside Ripon Racecourse, Ripon City Wetlands is a smaller gem that really packs a punch in terms of value for visit. Discover many wild delights around the reserve as you follow the trail – perhaps while watched by an inquisitive stoat – from the Riverside Lagoon viewing screen across one of the larger pools to the Canal Reedbed hide by the towpath. Ripon City Wetlands is a particularly lovely place to watch the sunset, surrounded by the sound of nature.

Snipe, curlew and teal are amongst those bedding down for the cold winter ahead, and as winter sets in, redwings drop down to feast on hawthorn berries. The reserve is most famous for its winter starling murmurations; gather just before dusk to watch small clouds of starlings coming in to roost, joining together until they form a great swirling aerial spectacle twisting and turning overhead until they descend into the reedbeds with the rushing sound of wingbeats.

Wetlands are designed to soak up and hold water, releasing it much more slowly than a flowing river or stream would. This means they are important flood defences, which can absorb excess rainwater and surface water during periods of wet weather, storing it and letting it trickle out slowly to prevent flash flooding. They are also fantastic in the summer months, holding on to water during periods of drought and providing vital refuges for our wildlife.

Our recent report, Bringing Yorkshire’s Nature Back, made it clear that we need wetlands – as our climate and weather become more unpredictable, our wetland wildlife struggles and the effects of flooding apply further pressure. Leaving more space for these amazing habitats will create more space for the rare and often endangered wildlife that they support – and will make all of our lives better in the long run, too..

To help support the Trust in keeping these places wild, become a member at ywt.org.uk