MAPS

SIBG Recording Area

Revised Boundary from 1 January 2018

Previous Boundary up to 31 December 2017

Astley Lake Hide

The hide is the focal point for the Group, it is situated at the end of FLEET LANE, approximately one mile from the A642 in OULTON. It overlooks Astley Lake and gives longer distance views across St Aidan’s. Birds most likely to be seen are wildfowl, waders and raptors. Marsh Harrier, Buzzard, Red Kite and Hobby have been regular in recent years. Scarce waders such as Avocet, Turnstone, Sanderling, Godwits, Pectoral Sandpiper, and Temminck’s Stint have been recorded here. Other notable birds seen are Little and Great Egret, Spoonbill, Whiskered Tern, Collared Pratincole, Lesser Scaup, and Ring-necked Duck. Bittern breed on St Aidan’s and can regularly be seen from the hide. Car parking is available opposite the former Bayford Oil Depot, please park tidily at the end of the car park nearest to the hide. Grid Ref. SE 381 284

Lemonroyd Marina/Filter Beds

A mixed area of scrub, plantation, mature trees and meadow with Yorkshire Water filter beds adjacent. The filter beds have been very reliable for Water Pipit over the years. Park at Astley hide and walk back on Fleet Lane for 500 yds or park at the Marina Grid Ref. SE 381 279

PLEASE NOTE – THERE IS NO ACCESS INTO THE FILTERBEDS. VIEW ONLY FROM OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARY FENCE.

Woodlesford Lock/Leventhorpe Flood Meadows

A nice 2 mile round walk between Woodlesford Lock and Fishponds Lock, good for warblers. Park at Woodlesford Lock  SE 367 249 off A642 at Woodlesford, walk West on either side of the canal to Fishponds Lock. Glossy Ibis, Marsh Sandpiper and Spoonbill have been recorded on the flood meadows.

Skelton Lake

With the opening of the Skelton Lake motorway service station in March 2020, access to the lake was much improved, but a lot of habitat was lost in the construction. Further development on the surrounding areas is in the planning and construction phase, so further loss of habitat in this area is inevitable.

There is access to the lake from the service area, located off junction 45 of the M1 where parking is free for 3 hours.

There is also a footbridge over the River Aire to the south of the lake, allowing access from the canal tow path. A pleasant 1.2 mile walk from the Woodlesford Lock car park is another option for access. Parking here can be difficult on weekends and public holidays.

There is no through traffic allowed down Pontefract Lane between Newsam Green Farm and the site entrance to the old Biffa Tip.

Good for waterbirds, gulls and waders. Little, Great-crested, Red-necked, Slavonian, Black-necked and Pied-billed Grebes have all been recorded here.

Temple Newsam Woods

Access off Bullerthorpe Lane ¾ mile south of Sainbury’s on A63. All woodland species including the three woodpeckers are possible. Park at SE 375 317

St Aidan’s Site

The site officially opened in April 2017 after an earlier attempt in May 2013, and is managed by the RSPB but still within SIBG recording area. There is  a good network of footpaths (see below) and an RSPB visitor centre. The main access point is from  Astley Lane but there are several gates along the southern (river) side.

Good for waterfowl, waders, raptors and farmland birds – indeed almost anything can turn up here..

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St Aidan’s – Local Site Names  (comments welcome)

 

click to expand

 

St. Aidan’s Footpaths.

 

There is a good network of footpaths and bridleway, all vistors are requested to respect these and stay on the designated paths to avoid disturbance to the wildlife. Dogs are permitted on site but owners are requested to keep them under control, particularly near the reedbeds and waterbodies.

 

 

 

 

 

Lowther Lake

 

A reed fringed fishing lake supporting mostly wildfowl but also good for warblers, particularly Reed Warbler, with Grasshopper Warbler also being regular. Red-throated and Black-throated Divers have also been seen here.

Best access for this area is from the RSPB visitor centre at St. Aidan’s and walking east along the old haul road.

There is also access from Allerton Bywater at the end of Ninevah Lane.

Access from the hide by walking c 1.7 miles eastwards miles on the north bank of the river or by parking on Astley Lane at the junction with Wood Lane (Grid Ref.     SE 400 287) and follow bridleway south for c 500yds.

PLEASE NOTE, THE FOOT BRIDGE TO THE EAST OF LOWTHER LAKE WAS DAMAGED IN THE FLOODING IN EARLY 2021 AND REMAINS UNPASSABLE.

 

 

Other SIBG Site information

Plantation Identities

FLEET Plantation – 400 yds upstream of hide and next to river

LEMONROYD Plantation – Off Fleet Lane between railway and canal bridges on west side of road. Birders are advised to be accompanied here.

SEWAGE Plantation – New, small plant next to Lemonroyd filter beds.

FLEET LANE Plantation – Half way along Fleet Lane north of road between football ground and farm.

FOOTBALL Plantation – Off Fleet Lane between football ground and railway.

ESHALD Plantation – Between Eshald Lane and football ground.

 

List of Site Location Terms used in SIBG Area. CLICK HERE FOR .pdf FILE

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Site Grid References 

ASTLEY  LAKE  HIDE SKELTON LAKE SKELTON LAKE (ACCESS) SKELTON PONDS LEVENTHORPE POND LEVENTHORPE POND VIEW POINT TEMPLENEWSAM WOODS (Pond) LEMONROYD MARINA LEMONROYD FILTER BEDS (View) FLEET PLANTATION FLEET LANE PLANTATION LEMONROYD PLANTATION SEWAGE PLANTATION FLEET POND ESHALD PLANTATION FOOTBALL PLANTATION LOWTHER LAKE St AIDAN,S MAIN LAKE VIEWPOINT St AIDAN,S CAUSEWAY VIEWPOINT St AIDAN’S MAIN ENTRANCE   (LS26 8AJ) CAROLINE BRIDGE METHLEY BRIDGE ROTHWELL CP  (Not in recording area)

SE 380 285 SE 349 304 SE 353 312 SE 352 309 SE 369 296 SE 368 295 SE 370 317 SE 380 281 SE 378 280 SE 378 288 SE 373 281 SE 378 283 SE 378 280 SE 380 278 SE 369 286 SE 372 284 SE 403 281 SE 400 284 SE 393 274 SE 399 288 SE 397 277 SE 388 274 SE 353 297

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