Potteric Carr

Potteric Carr is the largest of around 80 nature reserves that are either owned or managed by The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

Potteric Carr Homepage

It's also the largest inland wetland in the UK - outside of London. Unfortunately 95% of this habitat is currently covered in ice. The good thing about this is that more of the birds are relying on the feeding station situated in front of the Willow Pool Hide.

I was hoping that I might see my first Water Rail and maybe even a Bittern, one of which has been showing in front of the hide since the ice took a hold. Apparently doing its best to reduce the local rat population!

The Bittern didn't show up whilst I was there but the Water Rail did.

This was the most acrobatic of the Great Spotted Woodpecker's visits to the feeders.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 




A solitary Willow Tit stayed around just long enough to get a shot

There were several female Pheasants around but the males seemed to be keeping their distance

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Last to turn up was a male and female Reed Bunting