Trip reports
Potteric Carr Nature Reserve: 15th October, 2006
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Sunday, 22 October 2006
It took a few minutes to collect and sign our individual permits, necessary as there are a couple of minor branch line railway crossings on site. The main GNER line also runs through the reserve, though is does not have to be crossed. It can be disconcerting when sitting in one hide to have an express train suddenly hurtling past within yards.
Potteric is an extensive reserve, run by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and has recently been further extended, and improved, to the tune of several million pounds. There is a new field centre, including a splendid café with great home baking and hot lunches.
Large areas of new wader scrapes and reed beds are underway, with more hides and walkways planned. We visited most of the present 10 hides, and walked much of the 10km of paths! The reserve is an amazingly peaceful and beautiful spot with little sign of its proximity to Doncaster.
Birdlife was disappointing, due in part to timing. The summer breeding birds had departed, and many of the winter visitors had not yet arrived. However, in total we saw 41 species, including water rail, pintail, redwings, green and great spotted woodpeckers,. We all missed out on the two bitterns which have already arrived (there are usually 5 or 6 on the reserve later in the winter), the resident kingfishers and the visiting yellow-legged gull.
Many of the group were equally fascinated by the profusion of fungi all over the reserve, in woodland and grassland. The amazing colours and forms made great photographic subjects and, unlike birds, fungi keep still,for close observation. 40 different types have been identified there this year, including one which has been seen nowhere else in Britain.
So, although this was not a day to excite the twitchers, it was felt to be a very pleasant outing, with individuals planning to return to Potteric in the future.
This report by Les and Jim Curwen