POTTERIC CARR, DONCASTER  14^th JANUARY 2012

A bright, clear, sunny and frosty morning greeted the Rochdale Field Naturalists’ Society on their recent coach outing to Potteric Carr Nature Reserve.  Potteric Carr is the flagship of over 80 Reserves managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust located on the outskirts of Doncaster.  There are approx. 7 miles of excellent trails and 14 hides spread over an area of 500 acres of open water, reedbeds, woodland, marsh and small meadows, all of which create a wide diversity of wildlife, suiting all aspects of Natural History interest.

 On arrival, the group of 31 divided into several smaller groups to enable everyone to search out their specific interests.  One group was treated to an early sighting of a Goldcrest that was uncharacteristically feeding in a Hawthorn hedge, and Siskins high up in the alder trees.

 Unfortunately the reserve’s Bittern proved to be very elusive on our day there, but its absence was made up by a Kingfisher seen flying quite regularly in an area called the Mother Drain.  It was an extra special sight to see it in flight with the sun catching the beautiful iridescent turquoise on its wings.

 A small number of the main group were lucky to see a rare vagrant from North America, a female Ring-necked Duck that had arrived on the Reserve earlier in the week, probably hoping for a mate to fly in. Other water bird sightings included Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Shelduck, Pochard and Tufted Duck.  Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were also spotted high in the trees with flights of Fieldfare and Greylag and Canada  Geese flying over the Reserve.

 A few of the group were thrown into confusion when hearing what they thought could only be a visiting Warbler, to discover that it was the sound of a Mute Swan’s feet against the ice as it walked slowly across the frozen water in front of the hide they were in.

 Even in the middle of January there were several species of fungi found, including Earthstar, Hoof Fungus, Velvet Shank, Hairy Curtain crust, Turkey Tail, Birch Polypore and Glistening Inkcap.  Flower species included Creeping Buttercup, Dandelion, Gorse, Yarrow a possibly Scentless Camomile. Profuse Hazel Catkins glowed yellow in the late afternoon sun. 

Some mammals also put in an appearance, in particular a pair of Roe deer and a Red Fox.

 One member decided to just pop in to a hide  on the walk back to the coach as a  last minute thought and was lucky to see two Sparrowhawks, probably on the lookout for a late afternoon snack as the sun began to set.  A wonderful end to a perfect day.

 D.F.

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Images by Rick Cowley, Peter Francis and Steve Pinnington