Yorkshire Robin Festival returns to Doncaster nature reserve

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is inviting visitors to celebrate one of Britain’s most-loved birds and a festive favourite in Doncaster next month.

Yorkshire Robin Festival is back for a second year at Potteric Carr nature reserve in Doncaster, running from Saturday 5 to Sunday 6 December.

There will be a range of activities to enjoy over the weekend and make the very best of the festive spirit, including:

• Launch event: Join bestselling author Ella Frances Sanders in discussion with Director of Nature Recovery Sharne McMillan to celebrate her new book, Words to Love a Planet;
• Launch event: Come along to a pub painting evening and create your own festive robin masterpiece;
• Dawn guided winter wildlife walk around Potteric Carr, with breakfast included;
• Robin rambles throughout the weekend - join an expert guide on a wildlife wander around Potteric Carr nature reserve and count robins as you go;
• Fused glass robin workshop;
• Crochet robin workshop;
• Make your own robin nest box and willow bird feeder workshops;
• Activities for children, including storytelling, a robin treasure hunt and a festive outdoor trail.

Potteric Carr Visitor Centre will be bursting with hundreds of handmade robins, each with its own personality.

Lovingly knitted and crocheted by the Trust’s wonderful supporters as part of the Twitch and Stitch project, every robin is open for adoption as the perfect festive present, with proceeds going directly to supporting the Trust’s reserves.

Festival visitors can also enjoy plenty of winter warming treats in Potteric Carr’s onsite café overlooking the lake, and the reserve shop is full of the perfect gifts to buy wildlife-loving friends and family.

Helen Jones, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Head of Visitor Services, said, “Robins are one of our most iconic winter birds, and their bright red breasts and undaunted song as the nights draw in are a true wild joy as much as their enduring association with Christmas.

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“We are utterly thrilled to have another blush of robins filling our visitor centre this year after receiving over 200 last year – perhaps we will beat our own record!

“Whether you have a local beloved robin you want to celebrate or you’re looking to get out and about to reconnect with nature during the long winter months, Yorkshire Robin Festival promises the perfect festive event to get you in the Christmas spirit.

“Enjoy and be inspired by nature – and give a hand to the wildlife on your doorstep too.”

To book your spot on a festive workshop or find out more about the festival, go to ywt.org.uk/robin-festival.