If you can't travel far this winter visit your local park and it might prove fruitful. Although the lake is well known by the local fishing fraternity the locality is also good for birdwatching. It can be reached from the roundabout on the Nunthorpe bypass. Park by the old farm buildings and continue on foot. The mature beeches and mixed introduced trees along the lake hold some interesting birds including woodpeckers, finches, thrushes and tits.
Winter is perhaps the best time to visit.
This reserve is managed by Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and can be reached from the large car park beside the road to Warrenby and South Gare. Sadly the hides suffer from vandals but some screens do provide some good viewing. It is a habitat that is good throughout the year but passage birds add some excitement and rare species have been recorded. This small park is just across the road from Coatham Marsh. Having mature trees and other cover it often holds passage birds such as warblers in spring and autumn.