Photos, directions and information of locations just outside the Wakefield area that may be of interest to bird watchers. Click on the thumbnail photos for enlargements.

Fairburn Ings

Location: Just outside of the Wakefield district!! Signposted off the A1 approx 3 miles north of Ferrybridge Services (the intersection of the A1 and M62). Drive through the village of Fairburn for approx 1 mile to reach the RSPB car park (no charge). There is a further car park about another mile down the road.
Commoner species include: mute swan, canada goose, tufted duck, mallard,
shoveler, marsh tit, great tit, blue tit, coal tit, chaffinch, greenfinch, robin, moorhen, black headed gull, great black backed gull, cormorant.
Rarer species include: Little egret, whooper swan, black tern, iceland gull, bittern, smew, pink footed goose.
Our rating: 9/10.

Bretton Country Park

Location: J38 of M1, Huddersfield Rd, about one mile south of the village of West Bretton. Unfortunately most of the best areas of the park are not open for public access.
Commoner species include: canada goose, mallard, black headed gull, grey heron.
Rarer species include: kingfisher, common treecreeper.
Our rating: 5/10.

Ardsley Reservoir

Location: Haigh Moor Road, Westerton near East Ardsley. Haigh Moor Rd runs between Batley Rd and Westerton Rd.
Commoner species include: black headed gull, mallard, moorhen, great crested grebe. Woodland birds in Westerton wood.
Rarer species include: glaucous gull, iceland gull, yellowhammer, little owl (wood).
Our rating: 5/10. Bracing walk around the res in winter may herald a glaucous or iceland. There is a nice woodland walk around the adjoining Westerton wood. It must be said that this site is not always brimming with birdlife. Yellowhammers a plenty though.

New Swillington Ings

Location: Fleet Lane. Accessible from either A642 or A639 at Woodlesford.
Commoner species include: black headed gull, cormorant, wigeon, coot, tufted duck, mute swan, lapwing.
Rarer species include: not known at time of writing.
Our rating: 4/10. Only 15 mins were spent here - sorry about the quality of the photos too. The bird hide is locked - need to be a member of a local bird group to get access. Even from the hide, the action is distant.

Birkby Brow Wood

Location: Howden Clough near Morley. Part of the Kirklees way. Access is from the A653 in the dip of the road 0.5 mile south of Bruntcliffe (Angel) crossroads.
Commoner species include: normal woodland birds.
Rarer species include: jay, great spotted woodpecker, common treecreeper, nuthatch.
Our rating: 5/10. This is a lovely wood, and particularly attractive in May when the bluebells are out. If you walk for just over a mile, you will come to the edge of Upper Batley. Turn left up the road to enjoy a pint in the Needless public house.

Birkby Brow Wood is owned by Dartmouth Estates. It is not a public wood, although there may be a public footpath. Cyclists and walkers are treated in a gentlemanly and correct manner. Watch out for a cafe run by a Gun Club where all are welcome for refreshments.

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