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Overview
Far Ings is made up of over 57 hectares of wetlands, comprising of open lakes, reedbeds and wet grasslands. The site includes the Regional Office of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Ness End Farm) as well a new Visitors Centre. The reserve is one of the Lincolnshire Trust's 4 Principal reserves.
Birds
Notable Species
Far Ings is best known for its reedbeds, which can attract species such as Reed Warbler and Bearded Tit as well as Water Rail. Most notable are the reserve's bitterns which have been breeding on the site since 2000. Marsh Harrier are also regularly seen.
The lakes are home to a number of duck and geese, including all commonly seen species. In winter, Goldeneye, Smew and Goosander can also be found. Kingfisher live on the reserve all year round.
The reserve also offers great views across the Humber Estuary from the Flood Defences, and waders such as Common Redshank, Dunlin, and Bar-tailed Godwit feed on the mudflats, as well as more unusual species such as Curlew Sandpiper and Whimbrel. The Humber Estuary is also home to large numbers of Shelduck and Wigeon in Winter.
Rarities
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Common Shelduck, Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Common Teal, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Goldeneye, Smew, Goosander, Grey Heron, Great Bittern, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Common Kestrel, Western Marsh Harrier, Red-legged Partridge, Grey Partridge, Water Rail, Common Moorhen, Common Coot, Eurasian Golden Plover, Northern Lapwing, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Ruff, Common Snipe, Eurasian Curlew, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwit, Spotted Redshank, Common Redshank, Common Greenshank, Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Common Tern, Common Swift, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kingfisher, Barn Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Common Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Eurasian Blackbird, Fieldfare, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Common Reed Warbler, Common Grasshopper Warbler Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Magpie, Carrion Crow, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Willow Tit, Bearded Tit, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Common Bullfinch, Chaffinch, European Greenfinch, Reed Bunting,
Site Information
History and Use
During the 1800s and early 1900s the reserve was the site of tile, brick and cement works, which made use of the thick humber clay. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust obtained the reserve in 1980s who have managed the sites reedbeds, and allowed controlled grazing of some of the sites grassland.
The first Visitors Centre was created by restoring derelict farm buildings and originally opened in 1991. In 2007, the Far Ing's visitor's centre was relocated to the site of a former Water Sports centre. It was created with the help of a grant of £460,000 from Yorkshire Forward and forms part of the South Humber Bank Heritage & Tourism Project. The site of the old visitors centre is still part of the reserve and is now known as Ness End Farm.
Areas of Interest
Ness End Farm, Ness Pit and Hotel Lake
The site of the 'old' Far Ings Nature Reserve. Ness Pit was formerly the centre of the reserve and can be viewed from a large, two-tier hide. Hotel Lake is a large extensive reedbed, in front of the Reeds Hotel. It is one of the best places on the reserve for Bearded Tit.
Visitors Centre and Pursuit Pit
The new visitors centre is located to the East of the old site. Pursuit pit is the largest lake in terms of exposed surface area and is home to a range of ducks and gulls.
Chowder Ness and the Humber Estuary
Chowder Ness is a coastal realignment scheme to the West of the reserve. The large area of flooded land creates a mudflat environment that is perfect for waders. It attracts large numbers or lapwings, curlew, and redshank.
Access and Facilities
Visitors are recommended to park at the Far Ings Visitor centre, though there is also some parking available at the Ness End Farm offices. The reserve is covered by a network paths including several set routes of different lengths. Toilet facilities are available at the Visitors Centre and Ness End Farm. The visitors centre also has a gift shop. The Centre is open on Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesday afternoons.
Directions: From the most Northerly Junction of the A15 (the one nearest the humber bridge) turn onto the A1077 towards South Ferriby. Take the first right immediately after the Junction and follow the narrow winding road down to the T Junction (following signs for Far Ings and Reeds Hotel). From this T Junction turn right and then the reserve is signposted on the left hand side of the road.
Grid reference: TA 011229 and 023230
