It's Christmas Eve and its not just the elves that are busy getting ready on the last day before Christmas! Here at Fairburn Ings our wardens and rangers are dashing around the reserve filling bird feeders and scattering seed for ducks, swans and even water rails. Then off to the far reaches of the reserve to deliver supper to our roaming cattle and sheep. We'll keep checking in on the wildlife and livestock throughout the Christmas period to make sure everyone's healthy and happy.
Unfortunately we can't help all our wildlife and the cold weather has brought us some casualties. We have lost several swans this winter as they struggle to find food and cope with the harsh temperatures. We're very grateful to all our visitors who have reported sightings of swans and other wildlife who are stuck in the ice or generally struggling. We have been working with Swan Rescue to look after these birds as best we can and freed 3 swans from the ice last week and rescued one canada goose.
For any of you who enjoy coming to feed our swans and ducks in the warmer months, now's the time when our visitor numbers reduce and they need much more food for energy. So if you fancy a breath of (very!) fresh air and maybe walk off a mince pie or two please pop down and throw them some seed.
On the up side we have been treated to some spectacular sightings such as hunting barn owls who have happily been seen finding food to keep them going across the reserve. We'll keep updating you of what's been about on our recent sightings.
In the Visitor Centre we're getting ready to shut down for our 2 day break. The car park and Riverbank Trail will be closed on Christmas Day to maintain its permissive footpath status but visitors are still welcome to Lin Dike and Cut Lane. The main car park will be reopened on Boxing Day at 10am and the Visitor Centre will be back open complete with the usual bird food, hot drinks, sandwiches and snacks on Monday the 27th.
From everyone here at Fairburn Ings we hope you have a wonderful Christmas filled with wildlife delights, we look forward to hearing about them soon!