INFORMATION

For more about the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust call (01904) 659570, email info@ywt.org.uk or visit ywt.org.uk

THE Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is heralding in winter with 12 Days of Christmas, highlighting places to visit and wildlife to look out for.

From a hare bounding across grasslands to a flock of fieldfares chattering in hedgerows, there are plenty of wildlife highlights at this time of year, so wrap up and head out for a wild winter adventure.

With a big freeze in Scandinavia, we may see large numbers of goldeneye, a freshwater duck, coming over to feed in deep water lakes. Our resident population of bittern may be joined by Scandinavian bittern, improving the chances of spotting this elusive, threatened species. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Potteric Carr Nature Reserve near Doncaster is a great place to see them.

Get close to wildlife with the YWT's 12 Days of Christmas:

* Discover winter gems: Head to the coast for a family walk and check out rock pools at Flamborough, full of marine life, from crabs to bright red sea anemones.

* Watch a kingfisher: The Trust's Adel Dam Nature Reserve next to Golden Acre Park, Bramhope, is a great spot. Birds of prey also frequent the site, where there's a resident sparrowhawk and visits from buzzards and red kites.

* Build a nest box: Early winter is a good time to put up nest boxes, in advance of the breeding season. Birds such as wrens use them for roosting during cold periods too. Download the ‘How to build a nest box’ factsheet from ywt.org.uk/factsheets

* Enjoy a woodland walk: Fox, squirrel, deer and woodland birds can all be spotted. Keep clothing rustle-free and head to YWT Moorlands and Askham Bog nature reserves, Grass Wood near Grassington or Little Beck Wood near Whitby nature reserves.

* Animal tracking: Practice your tracking skills after fresh snowfall, a hard frost or rainfall – mud makes a great track trap. Look out for imprints of a hare, deer or fox

* Spot six species of tit: The birds can be found in gardens, parks and woodlands, though willow tits are becoming scarcer. With the right food, your garden provides a winter refuge for long-tailed, blue, coal and marsh tit. High-energy seeds, nuts and fat-based products are perfect for feeding.

* ‘Whooper swans are swimming’: The elegant swans fly over from Iceland in January to feed in farmland and roost on wetlands. Spot them include YWT’s Wheldrake Ings, North Cave Wetlands and Pulfin Bog nature reserves.

* Identify trees: We often walk past trees without really noticing them - learn to identify them by their shape, bark or new buds. Remains of fallen leaves provide clues.

* Study a hedgerow: Owls, kestrels and sparrowhawks hunt along hedgerows and redwings and fieldfares often feed together here. Holly and ivy berries are enjoyed by birds, including blackbirds and thrushes like redwings and fieldfares.

* Airborne predators: Winter is a great time for birds of prey, when they appear to be more active. In Yorkshire, you could see up to 10 species in one day with a bit of planning and luck! Head to YWT’s Staveley Nature Reserve for red kite and Spurn or Kilnsea nature reserves for merlin, peregrine and hen harrier.

* Spot urban wildlife: Bats hibernate well into February, but may leave their roost on warmer nights to hunt. Look out for deer, foxes and badgers at dawn or dusk and watch birds coming in to roost before sunset. Hedgehog may wake up from their winter hibernation so keep food topped up.

* Wonderful Winter wildfowl: Huge flocks of duck, geese and wading birds gather around wetland and coastal areas; a true winter spectacle. Look out for sea ducks such as common scoter between Flamborough and Withernsea. Filey Brig is a super spot to see common eider.