Rate birdingplace Wheldrake Ings
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Nice place for birdwatching just outside York. There are 5 hides and it is a nice walk to go from one to another! The place is well maintained all year long.
This is an area of 157 hectares with wet meadows with a pool and a scrape. It holds large areas of water after flooding. You can see quite a few migrating birds such as Ластівка сільська, Ластівка міська, Набережник палеарктичний, Кульон великий, Лебідь-кликун, Кульон середній, Очеретянка лучна, Крячок річковий, Кам’янка звичайна. But also Шуліка рудий, Канюк звичайний, Рибалочка блакитний, Чайка чубата, Сипуха, Чапля сіра, Мала біла чапля, Зозуля чубата, Вівсянка очеретяна Снігур звичайний and also Сутора вусата, або синиця вусата.
Best time to visit is March to end June for breeding waders and meadowbirds. November to end January for thousands of migrating birds once the area is flooded.
Eight miles south east of York, four miles east of the A19. From Wheldrake follow the road (Carr Lane) towards Thorganby and out of the village where the road takes a sharp right turn. 0.5 miles further on a narrow road to you left (after the Yorkshire Water compound) takes you down to the nature reserve. Park on the stony area next to the bridge over the River Derwent.
There are two different car parks, one for Wheldrake Ings, the other one for Bank Island. Both places are really close to each other and you can easily walk between the two (10 min).
The wetlands attract a wide range of birds. Spring and autumn can be exciting as migrant waders, terns and raptors pass through. Погонич звичайний, Пастушок and Гаїчка-пухляк all breed along with many common waders and ducks. Лунь очеретяний, Підсоколик великий and Сапсан are all seen regularly with the chance of an Скопа or Крячок чорний during migration.
Lovely place, particularly in Autumn and Winter to see passing migrants. However, be careful after heavy rain as it can easily make two, if not all three of the hides inaccessible, sometimes even for wellies.