LDV_NNR
@ldvnnr.bsky.social
News, events and recent sightings from the #LowerDerwentValley, #SkipwithCommon and #ForgeValleyWoods National Nature Reserves
This week we've also been working at #ForgeValleyWoods NNR opening up the quarry faces for their geological interest & valuable invertebrate habitat, whilst strimming the calcareous grassland pockets - nice to see Spurge Laurel & Wild Garlic, with the first Snowdrops also starting to appear.
January 29, 2026 at 6:09 PM
This week we've also been working at #ForgeValleyWoods NNR opening up the quarry faces for their geological interest & valuable invertebrate habitat, whilst strimming the calcareous grassland pockets - nice to see Spurge Laurel & Wild Garlic, with the first Snowdrops also starting to appear.
Huge thank you to all involved – the extra help that we receive from corporate groups really makes a massive difference to the amount of work that we can achieve across our NNRs 👏 If you'd like to join our team or attend a task day with your colleagues, please do get in touch 😁
Earlier in the week our team were busy carrying on with our heathland management work on #SkipwithCommon NNR, this time supported by staff from FPCR Ecology - with time also spent looking for and finding evidence of Water Voles.
January 29, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Huge thank you to all involved – the extra help that we receive from corporate groups really makes a massive difference to the amount of work that we can achieve across our NNRs 👏 If you'd like to join our team or attend a task day with your colleagues, please do get in touch 😁
Earlier in the week our team were busy carrying on with our heathland management work on #SkipwithCommon NNR, this time supported by staff from FPCR Ecology - with time also spent looking for and finding evidence of Water Voles.
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Earlier in the week our team were busy carrying on with our heathland management work on #SkipwithCommon NNR, this time supported by staff from FPCR Ecology - with time also spent looking for and finding evidence of Water Voles.
Can visitors to the #LDV please note that water levels are once again very high, with limited access to Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings. The White-tailed Eagle is still present at Aughton (yesterday) and 248 Black-tailed Godwits are at North Duffield Carrs @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Can visitors to the #LDV please note that water levels are once again very high, with limited access to Bank Island and Wheldrake Ings. The White-tailed Eagle is still present at Aughton (yesterday) and 248 Black-tailed Godwits are at North Duffield Carrs @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
The White-tailed Eagle reported from Aughton church this morning & then flew north
2 Scaup still at North Duffield Carrs
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social
2 Scaup still at North Duffield Carrs
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 7:39 PM
The White-tailed Eagle reported from Aughton church this morning & then flew north
2 Scaup still at North Duffield Carrs
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social
2 Scaup still at North Duffield Carrs
@nybirdnews.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social
This talk is now fully booked with 💯 free tickets 'sold' - sorry to those who have been left disappointed, but we cannot exceed village hall capacity - watch this space for other talk dates to follow 👀 @yorkbirding.bsky.social
With over 80 tickets now booked, we have less than 20 left for our #WorldWetlandsDay event this Thursday (29th), when Senior Reserve Manager Craig Ralston will be talking all things #LDV related – if you’d like to book yourself a free ticket please contact Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk 🐦🦆🪶
January 28, 2026 at 4:35 PM
This talk is now fully booked with 💯 free tickets 'sold' - sorry to those who have been left disappointed, but we cannot exceed village hall capacity - watch this space for other talk dates to follow 👀 @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Log buyers - we now have seasoned/part-seasoned timber for sale once again, with proceeds going to the Friends of the #LDV charitable trust. The price remains an incredible £80 per load, with free delivery to the local area - contact Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk 🪵 @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Log buyers - we now have seasoned/part-seasoned timber for sale once again, with proceeds going to the Friends of the #LDV charitable trust. The price remains an incredible £80 per load, with free delivery to the local area - contact Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk 🪵 @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Or, if you'd like to pre-order a copy of our new book 'Birds of the Lower Derwent Valley' which contains 550 pages of everything we know about the 295 bird species that have occurred in the #LDV & surrounding area, please use the email address below to secure yourself a copy @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 10:39 AM
Or, if you'd like to pre-order a copy of our new book 'Birds of the Lower Derwent Valley' which contains 550 pages of everything we know about the 295 bird species that have occurred in the #LDV & surrounding area, please use the email address below to secure yourself a copy @yorkbirding.bsky.social
With over 80 tickets now booked, we have less than 20 left for our #WorldWetlandsDay event this Thursday (29th), when Senior Reserve Manager Craig Ralston will be talking all things #LDV related – if you’d like to book yourself a free ticket please contact Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk 🐦🦆🪶
January 26, 2026 at 10:26 AM
With over 80 tickets now booked, we have less than 20 left for our #WorldWetlandsDay event this Thursday (29th), when Senior Reserve Manager Craig Ralston will be talking all things #LDV related – if you’d like to book yourself a free ticket please contact Lucy.Murgatroyd@naturalengland.org.uk 🐦🦆🪶
Thanks to local birder Stuart Masheder for the image below - taken in his York garden last year, and to local wildlife photographer Terry Weston for his image of one feeding on an apple in Dunnington recently 📸 Any other records welcome 🐦 @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who has sent in Blackcap records recently – there appears to be good numbers wintering in the #LDV and surrounding area at present, with at least ten others wintering in local gardens (and presumably others we don’t know about too!) @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Thanks to local birder Stuart Masheder for the image below - taken in his York garden last year, and to local wildlife photographer Terry Weston for his image of one feeding on an apple in Dunnington recently 📸 Any other records welcome 🐦 @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who has sent in Blackcap records recently – there appears to be good numbers wintering in the #LDV and surrounding area at present, with at least ten others wintering in local gardens (and presumably others we don’t know about too!) @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Thank you to everyone who has sent in Blackcap records recently – there appears to be good numbers wintering in the #LDV and surrounding area at present, with at least ten others wintering in local gardens (and presumably others we don’t know about too!) @yorkbirding.bsky.social
After last being seen in the #LDV on the 22nd, the White-tailed Eagle was seen briefly at RSPB Aire Valley on the 23rd, before heading south. However, it looks like it might be back on the reserve here now, with a report coming in from Ellerton/Thorganby yesterday morning @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 10:19 AM
After last being seen in the #LDV on the 22nd, the White-tailed Eagle was seen briefly at RSPB Aire Valley on the 23rd, before heading south. However, it looks like it might be back on the reserve here now, with a report coming in from Ellerton/Thorganby yesterday morning @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Great weekend for a 'wild goose chase' in the #LDV, with up to 21 White-fronts, 15 Tundra Beans, 4 Barnacles and 2,000+ Pink-feet seen from Ellerton Churchyard and elsewhere around the reserve + a red-head Smew at Wheldrake Ings and 3 Scaup at North Duffield Carrs @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 26, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Great weekend for a 'wild goose chase' in the #LDV, with up to 21 White-fronts, 15 Tundra Beans, 4 Barnacles and 2,000+ Pink-feet seen from Ellerton Churchyard and elsewhere around the reserve + a red-head Smew at Wheldrake Ings and 3 Scaup at North Duffield Carrs @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
A male Green Woodpecker showed well on Skipwith Common this morning. A species seemingly on the increase again in the York area following recent declines? @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 23, 2026 at 12:20 PM
A male Green Woodpecker showed well on Skipwith Common this morning. A species seemingly on the increase again in the York area following recent declines? @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
Really enjoyable couple of hours at Ellerton Church LDV this morning. Great, prolonged views of Tundra Beans & Russian Whitefronts mixed in with the Pinkies and Greylags. 😁 @northyorksbirds.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 24, 2026 at 6:57 PM
Really enjoyable couple of hours at Ellerton Church LDV this morning. Great, prolonged views of Tundra Beans & Russian Whitefronts mixed in with the Pinkies and Greylags. 😁 @northyorksbirds.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
4 Barnacle Geese from the Thorganby viewing platform
There were 3 Scaup at North Duffield Carrs
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
There were 3 Scaup at North Duffield Carrs
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 1:17 PM
4 Barnacle Geese from the Thorganby viewing platform
There were 3 Scaup at North Duffield Carrs
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
There were 3 Scaup at North Duffield Carrs
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
2 Scaup (a drake & a first winter drake) at North Duffield Carrs
@yorkbirding.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 12:14 PM
2 Scaup (a drake & a first winter drake) at North Duffield Carrs
@yorkbirding.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@yorkbirding.bsky.social @ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
19 White-fronted Geese from Ellerton church this morning along with 1000 Pink-footed Geese & 198 Whooper Swan
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
January 25, 2026 at 11:13 AM
19 White-fronted Geese from Ellerton church this morning along with 1000 Pink-footed Geese & 198 Whooper Swan
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
Cracking goose flock to go through this morning on Ellerton ings. Thousands of pink feet, with white-fronted and Bean geese to pick out amongst them. Merlin nearby as well. What a place the LDV is.
January 24, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Cracking goose flock to go through this morning on Ellerton ings. Thousands of pink feet, with white-fronted and Bean geese to pick out amongst them. Merlin nearby as well. What a place the LDV is.
Reposted by LDV_NNR
Classic winter wetands day in the @ldvnnr.bsky.social on our @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social tour. Two White-fronted Geese, several Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, c100 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Whooper Swans and 90 Redpolls at Skipwith Common.
January 23, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Classic winter wetands day in the @ldvnnr.bsky.social on our @yorkscoastnature.bsky.social tour. Two White-fronted Geese, several Marsh Harriers, Peregrine, c100 Black-tailed Godwits, 160 Whooper Swans and 90 Redpolls at Skipwith Common.
Reposted by LDV_NNR
The Waxwing still at Acaster Airfield, by the entrance gate.
The 3 Scaup still at North Duffield Carrs today.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
The 3 Scaup still at North Duffield Carrs today.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 21, 2026 at 11:38 AM
The Waxwing still at Acaster Airfield, by the entrance gate.
The 3 Scaup still at North Duffield Carrs today.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
The 3 Scaup still at North Duffield Carrs today.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
The White-tailed Eagle at Ellerton this morning & then flew towards North Duffield Carrs. Also 8 Tundra Bean Geese at Ellerton.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 21, 2026 at 10:50 AM
The White-tailed Eagle at Ellerton this morning & then flew towards North Duffield Carrs. Also 8 Tundra Bean Geese at Ellerton.
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Reposted by LDV_NNR
2 White-fronted Geese & 4 Tundra Bean Geese at Ellerton Ings today & the first winter Caspian Gull roosted again at Castle Howard Lake
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
January 20, 2026 at 10:03 PM
2 White-fronted Geese & 4 Tundra Bean Geese at Ellerton Ings today & the first winter Caspian Gull roosted again at Castle Howard Lake
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
@ldvnnr.bsky.social @nybirdnews.bsky.social
Other highlights around the #LDV inc. the lingering White-tailed Eagle, Merlin (Wheldrake, Ellerton and Melbourne), several Marsh Harriers, Mediterranean Gull (Wheldrake), three lingering Scaup (North Duffield Carrs) and a Twite (present in a large finch flock at Dunnington) 🪶
The #LDV WeBS count at the weekend inc. 24,691 wildfowl, 7133 waders & 8023 Gulls. Numbers of several species had recovered following the recent thaw, with 9002 Wigeon, 8066 Teal, 2368 Mallard & 626 Pintail @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Today is the WeBS Priority Core Count! January WeBS counts feed into the International Waterbird Census, which is celebrating it's 60th year of counting this month! Here’s how your data contributes to international effort...
Learn more➡️www.wetlands.org/iwc60/
Wetlands International
#IWC60
Learn more➡️www.wetlands.org/iwc60/
Wetlands International
#IWC60
January 21, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Other highlights around the #LDV inc. the lingering White-tailed Eagle, Merlin (Wheldrake, Ellerton and Melbourne), several Marsh Harriers, Mediterranean Gull (Wheldrake), three lingering Scaup (North Duffield Carrs) and a Twite (present in a large finch flock at Dunnington) 🪶
5583 Lapwing, 274 Dunlin and 120 Black-tailed Godwits were also recorded on the WeBS_UK 🪶
The #LDV WeBS count at the weekend inc. 24,691 wildfowl, 7133 waders & 8023 Gulls. Numbers of several species had recovered following the recent thaw, with 9002 Wigeon, 8066 Teal, 2368 Mallard & 626 Pintail @yorkbirding.bsky.social
Today is the WeBS Priority Core Count! January WeBS counts feed into the International Waterbird Census, which is celebrating it's 60th year of counting this month! Here’s how your data contributes to international effort...
Learn more➡️www.wetlands.org/iwc60/
Wetlands International
#IWC60
Learn more➡️www.wetlands.org/iwc60/
Wetlands International
#IWC60
January 21, 2026 at 5:03 PM
5583 Lapwing, 274 Dunlin and 120 Black-tailed Godwits were also recorded on the WeBS_UK 🪶