The Carr’s the star

It is seen as one of the country’s premier nature conservation sites and justifiably so, not just as far as ornithology is concerned but also for many other animals and plants.

Over the years the site has been developed with nature – and the visiting public – very much in mind.

It is a centre where the public is educated about the natural world through the hard work of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust staff.

It is, by the way, one of the Trust’s reserves, arguably the best-known one. And probably the busiest.

It’s in a rather unlikely location, sandwiched in-between railway lines and motorways and dual carriageways. Years back, when I started going there in the, ahem, 1970s one would pass huge factories on a long straight road in Balby which would sort of peter out and become little more than a dirt path until you turned into a car park. The rest of the experience was wandering around a set route.

Looking back at my old record books, I saw plenty of waterfowl, quite a few passerines that I hadn’t (at that stage) seen anywhere else. I thought I heard my first (and only) nightingale there but was brought down to earth rather when some senior bird boff pointed out it was probably a Blackcap. I was rather inexperienced in birdsong back then...

Enough of my reminiscing. The place has changed enormously in the decades since. It’s bigger, better and bolder with a wider range of habitats and perhaps a stronger sense that conservation is well under way in a more managed manner. Which is good for nature, and good for the visitors.

You still get the sense that you are a million miles away from the modern world and industry but in reality you are next door. Potteric Carr has always had that sense of being a bit of an oasis but now it is even more so.

Much thought has been put in to the humans who positively flock to Potteric Carr throughout the year (and who can be as loud as any gannet or gull colony on occasion). The facilities are excellent and modern. You can even grab a drink and a bite to eat at the Kingfisher Tearoom.

Education is important (which indeed it is) and the reserve is as welcoming to know-all twitchers as it is to curious members of the public and schoolkids alike. In the past I have been to nature reserves where visitors were treated as unwanted guests but that Fawlty Towers attitude is certainly avoided at Potteric Carr.

The map reveals what is on offer at the site.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has plans to develop a new visitor centre at Potteric Carr though the scheme is at an early stage so far. It shows the trust’s commitment to the site, as if that was ever in doubt.

It has its fair share of rarities throughout the year. I remember being there on the day that a member of the Royal family called in a few years ago and my binoculars were torn between focussing on the said royal or a black-necked grebe on one of the quieter water bodies. Attractive as the royal was (I won’t name names), the grebe was a bigger attraction.

Birdwatchers will know Potteric Carr and will more than likely love the place. If you’re new to birdwatching, make a point of going there. It will test your birding skills because there is so much to see but it is well worth the challenge.

The Carr is indeed the star!