A wildlife-rich mosaic of habitats with free parking and a Visitor Centre just off the A1
Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers By the last week of March, the reserve was alive with the distinctive song of the chiffchaff. In April, it will be joined by its close relative, the willow warbler. How can you tell them apart? Probably not by looking at them. Even experienced birdwatchers struggle to tell the difference. However,… Read More
Great Spotted Woodpeckers The drumming of great spotted woodpeckers is one of the classic sounds of early spring. The woodpecker does this to advertise its presence, stake out a territory and attract a mate. Although both sexes drum, the male does so more often. The woodpecker bashes its beak against the tree about 12 times… Read More
Footprints in the snow (or mud!) January’s snowfall shed a new light on some of the mammals found at the Pits. With practice, you can identify them by their footprints. One of the easiest is the rabbit, due to its very different front and back feet and the way it hops. The front feet are… Read More
Diving Ducks Diving Ducks can feed in deep water by submerging completely, disappearing for a few seconds before popping up nearby. The most common at the Pits is the black-and-white tufted duck which you can see all year round as it breeds on the reserve. In addition to these resident birds, hundreds more tufted ducks… Read More
Image: Jim Stevenson Robins in Fact and Fiction I suspect that most people in the UK know what an adult Robin looks like, but from my experience most do not understand that young Robins do not have red breasts. The situation is not helped as Christmas cards will often depict a family of Robins with… Read More
