Blacktoft Sands

Address: RSPB Blacktoft Sands, Goole DN14 8HR

Grid ref: SE843232

What3Words: reissued.relate.display

You'll find Blacktoft Sands hiding on the south bank of the River Ouse, where the waterway widens to become the Humber Estuary. This magical reserve hosts a diverse population of waders, warblers and raptors, which can be easily spotted from the accessible trails and hides.

Plan your visit

Nature reserve: open daily, 9am-dusk.
Closed and locked outside these hours.
Car park: open daily, 9am-dusk.
Closed and locked outside these hours.
Toilets: open daily, 9am-dusk.
Visitor Centre:
9am-5pm, daily, 1 April-31 October.
9am-4pm, weekends only, 1 November-31 March.
Refreshments: takeaways available
9am-5pm, daily, 1 April-31 October.
9am-4pm, weekends only, 1 November-31 March.

Festive opening times

Christmas Eve: nature reserve, car park and toilets open, 9am-dusk. Visitor centre and refreshments closed.
Christmas Day: nature reserve, car park, visitor centre, refreshments and toilets closed.
Boxing Day: nature reserve, car park, visitor centre, refreshments and toilets closed.
New Year’s Eve: nature reserve, car park and toilets open, 9am-dusk. Visitor centre and refreshments closed.
New Year’s Day: nature reserve, car park and toilets open, 9am-dusk. Visitor centre and refreshments closed.
All other days in the festive period are open our usual winter opening hours as above.

Free entrance to RSPB members: Yes

Adults: £5

Children: £2 (5-17 years)
Free entrance for first child
Free entrance for under 5s

Student: £3

Free entrance for carers: Yes

Facilities

Visitor centre
Car park
Toilets
Accessible toilets
Baby changing
Refreshments
Picnic area
Binocular hire
Guided walks is closed
Viewing point
Nature trails

Accessibility

Full accessibility information (external website)

How to get here

By train

The nearest station is Goole 9 miles from the reserve, from here there is a bus service.

By bus

The Number 360/361 bus from Goole stops at the reserve entrance. For up-to-date times ring Busline on 01482 5929 29, or visit eyms.co.uk.

By bike

The National Cycle Network passes through Ealand and Keadby, both around 10 miles south of the reserve.

By road

From Goole, take the A161 road to Swinefleet, turn left at the mini roundabout in Swinefleet, turn right at the next T junction and follow the minor road for the next five miles through Reedness, Whitgift and Ousefleet. About 0.5 km out of Ousefleet heading towards Adlingfleet, turn left into the reserve car park.

Sat nav POI file: If you have a satellite navigation system that can accept POI files, please see our POI page for a download link and instructions.

Get directions from Google Maps

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RSPB reserves on Google Earth

Sorry, dogs are not permitted on the reserve, except assistance dogs, due to the sensitive wildlife and habitats here.

We know that the countryside is a dog walking paradise. It’s important to remember the special surroundings here are wonderful havens for rare wildlife. Even if dogs are very well behaved, wildlife can easily become startled by a dog they perceive as a predator.

Disturbing wildlife does more than simply causing it to move away; it uses up their energy, decreasing their chance of survival regardless of season.

Thank you for protecting the special wildlife by not exercising your dog here.

Dogs die in hot cars, please do not leave your dog in the car when visiting us.

We don't have a formal education programme here at Blacktoft Sands, but school visits are welcome to the nature reserve. Booking is required by phoning 01405 704665 or email blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk

A volunteer or member of staff will welcome and explain all about what the nature reserve has to offer. Available seven days a week between April-September and at weekends between October-March.

For information on the exciting programme of curriculum-linked outdoor education sessions available at other RSPB nature reserves, visit our school trips information.

Check out our fantastic range of resources for teachers, or take on the Schools’ Wild Challenge.

Downloads

Helping you find your way around. PDF, 71Kb

Blacktoft Sands trail guide

Contact Blacktoft Sands

RSPB Blacktoft Sands, Goole DN14 8HR
blacktoft.sands@rspb.org.uk
01405 704665
@Blacktoft_Sands
Find us on facebook

What will you see?

Our star species

Avocet

Avocets nest on the artificial islands on the saline lagoons.

Bearded tit

Bearded tits can be seen all year round in the reeds.

Bittern

Bitterns now breed here and can be seen all year round.

Hen harrier

Hen harriers are winter visitors to Blacktoft.

Marsh harrier

Marsh harriers nest here and are a regular sight.

Nature spectacles

Raptor spectaculars - Blacktoft is one of the best places to see marsh harriers with up to 40 roosting in the reedbed in the winter and close few of feeding birds during the spring and summer. Winter roost often include hen harriers, merlins and barn owls.
Beautiful waders - during the summer and autumn months enjoy close views of passage waders including spotted redshank, black-tailed godwit and ruff.

Marsh harriers begin spectacular sky dancing displays from early March. Look out for summer visitors as the spring migration peaks in April and May. Up to eight species of warbler can be heard singing as the reserve comes alive with birds. Listen out for booming bitterns in the mornings and evenings. Avocets arrive back in early March start nesting in April. Ousefleet can hold passage waders especially in May.

Calm mornings from late June are great for seeing bearded tits around the lagoon edges along with reed and sedge warblers feeding young. Waders such as spotted redshanks and ruff begin returning from the middle of June. Spoonbills have become a regular visitors at this time of year. Look for the acrobatic marsh harriers passing food to each other in mid-air. Barn owls hunt for voles from late afternoon onwards.

Migrating wading birds feeding and resting on the lagoons including spotted redshanks, greenshanks, black-tailed godwits, ruffs and dunlins can be seen on the lagoons. Keep your eyes peeled for water rails running around the lagoon edges. Look out for spectacular roosts of sand martins and swallows. Listen for the 'pinging' calls of flocking bearded tits on calm October mornings. You can spot evening and morning flights of pink-footed geese over the reserve.

Many marsh harriers come in to roost during afternoon and evenings also look carefully for hen harriers and merlins coming into the reedbed to roost as dusk descends. Peregrines and barn owls are also often hunting. Hundreds of teals and wigeons provide a wildfowl spectacle from the Ousefleet hide. Stop near the flood bank to see the flock of tree sparrows.

About Blacktoft Sands

Habitat

Come and explore one of the most important wildlife sites in the UK on the edge of the Humber Estuary.

This is a water land where the reedbed rules. The vast swaying expanse is the largest tidal reedbed in England, where marsh harriers, bitterns and bearded tits can be found.

Six shallow lagoons and grazing marshland is where to spot wildfowl and waders, while hidden mudflats provide safe roosting for golden plover and lapwings.

Between the hides, scrubland is home to many of our warblers as well as a thriving colony of tree sparrows.

Conservation

The habitats are looked after in a way that creates the ideal conditions for wildlife.

The reedbeds, the second largest in the UK, are grazed by ponies and we cut areas back to create a mosaic of reeds at different heights and ages. We also create and maintain pools hidden in the reeds.

The water levels of the slightly salty lagoons inside the reedbeds are managed to create the best conditions for breeding and wintering wildfowl, including up to 40 pairs of avocets. Migrating birds also stop by in spring and autumn.

Cattle and sheep as well as the ponies roam the 32 acres of grazing marsh. This keeps it in a good condition for waterfowl and waders, including large numbers of wintering lapwings and golden plovers.

Willow scrub is cut on rotation to keep it just right for birds such as song thrushes and tree sparrows. Cetti’s warblers have just returned to the reserve, benefitting from the area between the scrub and the reedbed.

Partners

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Site information

More than 270 types of bird have been spotted here, with every season bringing an ever-changing cast of wildlife stars. Head out on our trails around the reserve or hide away in our hides to see how many you can spot.

Latest blog posts

read our blog

What people are saying about Blacktoft Sands

Avocets, marsh harriers, spotted redshank, whooper swan, goldeneye, black tailed godwit, grazing wigeon, beautiful great crested grebe, shoveling shovelers, dainty little teal and many more; over 40 species in 2 hours and all seen easily from the hides with a little local advice from the friendly RSPB staff. Blacktoft Sands reserve is an excellent day out for the seasoned birdwatcher and an excellent introduction to the UK's amazing diversity of bird species for the novice.

David Walker

We don't know much about birds - but there were friendly RSPB volunteers who showed us what to look out for. They made us feel very welcome. I would recommend Blacktoft Sands to anybody who wants to enjoy their day out, and see interesting wildlife.

John and Wendy Fisher

I went to the 'Hair-raising Harriers' event today and had a fantastic time. The guide made us all feel really welcome and was very knowledgeable. I had four 'firsts' (whooper swan, short-eared owl, golden plover, stone chat) and excellent views of marsh harriers and barn owls. It is a wonderful reserve and I will definitely be going back.

Libby Hood-Phipps

Activities and events

Activities for children and families

Take part in RSPB Blacktoft Sands monthly wildlife challenge. Pick up the challenge from our reception and try to spot as many of the different types of wildlife as you can find listed on the sheet. The extra tricky things are marked with a star and if you see one of those then you win a prize! The challenge changes seasonally.

Look out also for some of our special events that are particularly suitable for families like our open days.

For more information on events and to book tickets, please visit events.rspb.org.uk/blacktoftsands

Blacktoft Sands