Bird Hide
Take a delightful stroll, whatever the time of year, through the woodlands at Wassand and weave your way to the stunning vista from the viewing hide nestling on the edge of the Mere – Yorkshire’s largest freshwater lake.
Open: The hide and woodland trail are open all year round (except Christmas day) from 8.00am.
Tickets (providing a code to the electronic entry door to the hide and gate from public footpath)
£5.00 p/p, available from 8.00am at East Lodge, the first house after Wassand Estate entrance on the right (all year excluding Christmas Day)
Please note, NO Access to Garden, House and Grounds
If you wish to come earlier, or will be making a journey to get to us, please call Mrs Shirley Power first: 01964 537474 or 07767 039793 so arrangements can be made if she is not on the property at the time of your visit.
Members of the Wassand Wildlife Society have year round access to the hide.
Car parking: is available at the Hall.
Distance: 30 mins walk each way to the hide on woodland trails (not disabled accessible).
Warden: Mr George Bennett – 01964 532251 or 07731602333
About the Wassand Hide
Wassand Hide was built by Wassand Estate craftsmen with assisted funding from LEADER and opened on 1st April, 2014.
The Hide and Tower have proved popular with Members, Day Visitors and Groups for more than 10 years, providing close range opportunities to watch and photograph Marsh Harrier, Hobby, Bittern, Little Egret, Bearded Tit, Kingfisher, Red Kite, Otter, Emperor Dragonfly and White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly.
Scarcer bird species recorded include Great White Egret, White-tailed Eagle, Hen Harrier, Osprey, Baikal Teal, American Wigeon. A wide variety of waders occur on passage, especially Green Sandpiper and Spotted Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Little Stint.
Photos from the Wassand Hide
Click on photo to enlarge
Marsh Harriers remain throughout the year and with patience it is possible to witness the “food pass” in the breeding season, when the male passes prey to the female in a mid-air spectacle. Also in the summer, the chance to see the Hobby catching dragonflies and feeding on the wing is not to be missed.
The Woodland Walk, via Springfield Wood houses nest boxes ideally placed for Blue and Great Tits and some Bat boxes. The mature trees and decaying trees provide ideal habitat for nesting birds, including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Goldcrest, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher.
Otters continue to breed successfully and are often seen close to the Hide.
In the autumn the large concentrations of Little Gulls are often impressive, likewise the movements of Whooper Swans, Pink-footed Geese and other wildfowl, especially Goldeneye, Pochard and Gadwall.
The very latest wildlife sightings can be found here: hornseamere.wordpress.com
The Wassand Bird Hide and Hornsea Mere are one of a number of locations forming the ‘Yorkshire Nature Triangle’ – bringing together the best wildlife-watching opportunities in East Yorkshire. To find out more or plan your next visit go to yorkshirenaturetriangle.org.uk
Join the Wassand Wildlife Society: annual access to the Wassand Bird Hide. Details can be found here, or download the form:
