Country Notes

Published on 22nd November 2007 in News

I have been an avid watcher of Alan Titchmarsh's Nature of Britain and AutumnWatch on the television, even whilst away on holiday in France and Menorca.

We haven't had a holiday for about ten years and then we have had two in a row! I saw many different birds and butterflies whilst away, but seeing these programmes has made me realise just how fortunate we are in East Yorkshire to have such a wealth of nature reserves within our county.

There is Paull, Spurn Point and up the coast to Flamborough. Coming back down there is Tophill Low at Driffield; the North Cave Wetlands Reserve; the Humber Bridge Nature Reserve; many access points on the Humber; Eastrington Ponds; Sugar Mill Ponds; Brayton Barff and Blacktoft.

There are many woodland walks also, like the WARCS Nature Reserve, my local wildlife group's woodland at Elloughton.

I am sure there are many, many more.

The East Yorkshire coast is a unique area for migrant birds from the continent, and there are many vagrants recorded.

I will be visiting the Humber at Brough Haven to see what has arrived there, with binoculars, notebook and reference book at hand.

I am sure I will not be disappointed.

Rosemary Roach