We've been meaning to visit the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature Reserve at Potteric Carr for a while now but, even though it is only a 50 minute drive away, have never actually managed it. Yesterday we put that right.
After that we needed a walk but first stopped off at a hide close to the tearoom where the wildlife was being fed.
There are several walks marked out around the reserve. The silver birches looked especially picturesque.
As is usual for this type of reserve there were plenty of lapwings. As they were at some distance the following photo was taken at full zoom so isn't of the best quality but I couldn't resist showing the birds having a bad hair/feather day!
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Looks and sounds great. I have added it to my 'to visit' list for 2014 along with a load of gardens. I might not have time for tending my own plots!
ReplyDeleteHi L, Just had a peek at your blog and found we are nearish neighbours, I'll be back for a proper visit later. We're looking forward to seeing different seasons at Potteric - it was only £5 for both of us to visit and it works out at £3 a month for us both to become members of the YWT. It seems there are 90+ venues owned by the YWT throughout Yorkshire although many are just small bits of land that they have bought to protect an area of interest such as a field of wild flowers. I look forward to browsing the handbook and finding new places to visit.
DeleteIt's nice to find new places to visit, this looks especially good with different walks to take. I love that little squirrel saying his prayers, he looks well fed.
ReplyDeleteIt is, Jo especially close to home.
DeleteWhat a wonderful place to visit Sue, it would be nice to see it through the coming seasons also :)
ReplyDeleteThe Lapwings are great to watch aren't they, we have scores of them here and I think they're the funniest bird when flying.
Wish we lived closer to Yorkshire, I so miss the English countryside so it's great to see it in your photos :)
I'll keep the photos coming, Linda. We didn't take many yesterday only about 170 each!
DeleteWonderful photos of your day out, Sue - looks like you were very lucky with the weather! I love the bullrushes in the lake - a superb photo - and that squirrel really does look like he's saying grace before dinner!
ReplyDeleteIt's one of those photos where you don't know what you have until you download it, Caro. I seem to have captured several birds/animals with their eyes shut recently!
DeleteSome very nice shots Sue, I really must get myself a good camera and get out more!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rooko
DeleteI love nature reserves and that one is particularly beautiful - you took some great shots - it all looks very calm in the sunshine.
ReplyDeleteHave you been there, Elaine.
DeleteThe lapwings are quite unusual looking. Thank you for including them.
ReplyDeleteUsually lapwings look to have a single plume on their heads, Alain but this obviously divides up when wet giving them a punk 'hairdo' It's another thing I wouldn't have noticed without taking a photo as the birds were too far away.
DeleteSuch a beautiful place to visit! It will really relax anyone!
ReplyDeleteI will, Malar
DeleteJust catching up after a day out yesterday - love these photos Sue. The squirrel is priceless!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just, Jessica?
DeleteThat place looks very reminiscent of our Fleet Pond. I wish we had more "facilities" though. There are only a few viewing platforms - no proper hides at all. I'm sure if the conditions were right we would see more wildlife if it couldn't see us! I love your photo of the bulrushes. Are they standing in thin ice, or is that just a trick of the light?
ReplyDeleteNo ice Mark - the rushes were in water. There were lots of goods hides at Potteric. One was like a hexagon with views of about 270 degrees.
DeleteWhat a heavenly place. I just love the blue of the water, reminds me that spring isn't too far away. Oh those birds are wonderful and the little squirrel praying....priceless! Beautiful birch trees....you do take fantastic pictures.xxx
ReplyDeleteThe squirrel is cute isn't it? A chance capture!
DeleteLovely photos Sue, looks like you had a great day out – and no rain! The squirrel was a good capture indeed!
ReplyDeleteNo , no rain, We've had drips and drops of rain most days but noting significant. Martyn is posting about our rainfall on his blog today
DeleteLove the Lapwing images, Sue. I've only seen them once - at a reserve on the east coast of Scotland and at a distance too - further away than you but if I ever post on that visit I'd include it too :-D
ReplyDeleteThis looks a nice reserve to visit, its about the same distance away for us to see the Ospreys at the reserve we visit most regularly - your water scenes look very similar too. Enjoy your 2014 visits here :-D
Btw I want to congratulate you in the regularity and frequency of your blog posts with heaps of content and photos. I appreciate how time consuming this can be and you find time to read other blogs and comment regularly too! Well done you :-D
Wishing you another successful blogging and allotment year for 2014 - If I try hard I might be able to keep up with you ;-)
The lapwings were at some distance Shirl - those photos were taken with a 120x digital zoom and cropped. With the naked eye it was hard to tell what type of birds they were. Lots of the reserves are very similar aren't they but lucky you having ospreys. Thank you too for the kind comments.
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