Wheldrake Ings....

[upyonder]

I visited about two weeks ago (I usually get there once a year,over last 12 years)...now generally its been wet, board walks washed away etc.etc.On this visit..hot, I found Willows loking like they are dying,hides in poor condition etc..I have contacted the Wildlife Trust with no response.Does anyone know whats happening...is this just a natural cycle or is the site in trouble !! Ive had such great visits in the past..dont get me wrong there is always something new but the general impression got me worried.

[ChrisJB]

Having just had a troll on the 'net, just discovered quite a bit of alarming news. Apparently there has been conflict here between Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England. One wants the reserve to be predominantly wetland, whilst the other wants it to be mainly meadowland.

I've even read that a past (or still present?) site manager not so long ago over - drained the reserve, totally messing up the wetlands!

Regards, Chris

[sometimes]

is that argument still going on!
Personally I can't see why it can't be wet in the winter and dry in the summer - well dryish in the summer - there needs to be some water for the Black necked Grebes etc. and not too much for corncrakes.

It has been over 18months since I visited wheldrake for a proper look, I seem to recall seeing a Barn Owl floating (flying) about over the river from the small pool below the formal carpark on the road.

[upyonder]

Some latest news can be found in the Yorkshire Wildlife Trusts Summer 2008 magazine, it does appear to be a dilema over the best management regimes to satisy the variety of objectives and species.