The autumn migration is in full flow and pink footed geese – one of the easiest migratory species to spot - have arrived from the Arctic to spend the next few weeks in east Yorkshire. Some birds will remain here for the winter whilst others will head further south to overwinter in East Anglia and the east midlands.

Each morning, the birds travel inland from their overnight stay on the banks of the Humber to feed and rest in the fields of the High Wolds above Pocklington and Market Weighton. The birds in their ‘V’ shaped formation can be heard honking noisily as they  fly over in search of food. Next spring, they will return to their breeding grounds in northern Scandinavia, Greenland and Iceland.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Living Landscapes Manager Jon Traill said; ‘I always know autumn is here when the first pink foots arrive. They have been around for a couple of weeks now and I’ve been treated to some spectacular displays from our home on the top of the Wolds as wave after wave of honking geese passed over.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s North Cave Wetlands reserve near Brough is one of the best places in Yorkshire to watch wildlife throughout the year and the geese may be spotted passing over, especially early in the morning.  Other winter visitors including redwing and fieldfare have also been spotted arriving from northern Europe at Flamborough and Spurn.