Today, I'm revisiting a place of profound personal significance: the Lower Derwent Valley, located just east of York in North Yorkshire, England. This area, encompassing sites like Wheldrake Ings, is where my passion for ornithology and conservation took root nearly three decades ago.​

The Lower Derwent Valley is renowned for its diverse habitats, including wet meadows, pastures, and woodlands. These environments are particularly vital during winter months when flooding creates ideal conditions for large congregations of wildfowl. Breeding waders also thrive here.

As I settle into the hide at Wheldrake Ings, part of the National Nature Reserve managed by Natural England, the landscape unfolds before me:​

• Curlew: The evocative call of the curlew resonates across the meadows. Recognizable by their long, down-curved bills and sleek brown bodies, curlews are a symbol of the British countryside. The Lower Derwent Valley serves as a stronghold for these birds, which have faced declines in other regions.​
• Shelduck: These striking birds are unmistakable with their dark green heads, bright red beaks, and contrasting white and black plumage. Their presence is a testament to the area's suitability for wildfowl.​
• Wigeon: These medium-sized ducks are winter visitors in significant numbers. Males are distinguished by their orangey-buff heads, grey sides, and a distinctive creamy crown stripe. Their characteristic whistling calls add to the soundscape of the wetlands.​
• Teal: Among the smallest of the dabbling ducks, male teals boast a striking green eye-stripe set against a chestnut head. They often congregate in flocks, dabbling in the shallow waters of the scrapes.​
• Lapwing: Also known as "peewits" due to their distinctive calls, lapwings display an iridescent green sheen on their backs and possess a unique crest. Their numbers have declined nationally, making their presence here particularly heartening.​

Reflecting on my journey, it was here, along a path bordered by a hedge and a small stream, that I first encountered a barn owl in the wild. That mesmerizing sight ignited a lifelong passion, leading me to study at York University and dedicate years to researching and conserving these magnificent birds.

The Lower Derwent Valley, with its rich biodiversity and timeless landscapes, continues to inspire and reaffirm the importance of preserving such natural treasures.

Credits:

• Curlew - xeno-canto.org - Eetu Paljakka
• Curlew - xeno-canto.org - Paul Kelly
• Wigeon - xeno-canto.org - David Bissett
• Teal - xeno-canto.org - David Darrell-Lambert
• Buzzard - xeno-canto.org - Working group for animal ecology and planning Ltd.
• Lapwing - xeno-canto.org - Eetu Paljakka
• Curlew by David Pinder from Pixabay