Far Ings National Nature Reserve

Far Ings National Nature Reserve, a 90-hectare site on the southern shore of the Humber Estuary in North Lincolnshire, is managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. It lies within the Humber Estuary Ramsar site and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and a Special Protection Area (SPA).

The reserve was created on former clay pits, once central to the region’s cement industry from 1850 to 1959. Acquired by the Trust in 1983, the site has been transformed into a thriving wildlife haven over the past few decades.

The reserve has a rich and varied landscape, including reedbeds, meadows, scrub, and both freshwater and saltwater habitats. These environments support a wide range of wildlife, particularly invertebrates, which are a vital food source for birds. Waterbirds and reedbed species are plentiful, with kingfishers, herons, bearded tits, great crested grebes, little grebes, and reed warblers all calling the reserve home. Bitterns, which have been breeding here since 2000, can be heard booming in spring.

Other spring visitors include Cetti’s warblers, water rails, and marsh harriers, which put on spectacular aerial displays. Redshanks and lapwings may also breed on the reserve, and ducks such as mallards, pochards, and tufted ducks nest on the islands and water margins.

In summer, swallows and house martins can be seen skimming the water to catch insects, while meadows and hawthorn scrub attract sedge warblers, lesser whitethroats, blackcaps, chiffchaffs, and linnets. Overhead, hobbies and buzzards are a common sight. Mixed flocks of finches gather to feed on saltmarsh plant seeds.

Autumn brings the spectacle of starling murmurations over the reserve, as well as migrating redwings and fieldfares. In winter, the reserve becomes an important stop for wildfowl such as pink-footed geese, wigeons, teals, goldeneyes, gadwalls, and goosanders, with smews making occasional appearances. The mudflats at low tide attract waders, including dunlins, ringed plovers, grey plovers, redshanks, knots, and bar-tailed godwits. Visitors may also spot short-eared owls and barn owls hunting at dusk.

There are three well-marked circular walking trails: the Bittern Trail (2 hours), the Grebe Trail (1 hour), and the Tadpole Trail (30 minutes). Many paths are wheelchair-friendly, although some gates may be closed when sheep are present. Two bird hides, including the popular double-decker hide at Ness End Farm, are accessible to visitors with disabilities.

The reserve has a visitor centre with toilet facilities, refreshments for purchase, and a picnic area. Free parking and bicycle racks are available at both Ness End and the Visitor Centre car parks.

Please note, dogs are not allowed on the reserve.