SE 015352
Nearby
Sites |
Low
Wood, Riddlesden |
Specialities |
| Teal |
| Snipe |
| Redshank |
| Common Sandpiper |
| Green Sandpiper |
| Water Rail |
| Sedge Warbler |
| Wigeon |
Viewing is from the old A650 next to the Airedale Heffer pub that is about half a mile from Crossflatts in the direction of Keighley.
From the road you look down into the field that is adjacent to the River Aire. As the name suggests, the site contains a small “flash” after heavy rain. The field normally holds sheep and horses and this can keep the undergrowth down making it attractive to waders. This site must be one of the best in our area for Teal with counts regularly exceeding 50 with the correct conditions. Waders recorded include Snipe, Redshank, Common and Green Sandpipers. Water Rail has been recorded as well as Sedge Warbler. Wigeon have dropped in but are uncommon.
Use of a telescope is helpful but not essential.
Notable
Sightings -
2003 |
| 13th December 2003 55 Teal |
Notable
Sightings -
2004 |
| 28th November The highest count of Teal was of approximately 100 birds. |
Notable
Sightings - 2005 |
| 23rd February 2005 A Redshank with two records in the first week in March, followed by a rush of arrivals from mid-March and throughout April. |
| March 2005 A Water Rail |
| 21st March 2005 A Little Ringed Plover |
| 22nd March Green Sandpiper could have been an early spring migrant, or a relocating wintering bird. In any event, it remained at the site until 4th April. |
| 23 April 2005 Two Shelduck |
Between 37 and 64 Teal were seen during the first winter period, the latter figure being noted on 16th March, and in the final two months of the year this site held between 70 and 90 (on 31st December). |
Recently the site has been drained, and flooding only occurs in following extremely heavy rain.