SE 213493

Home Page

Lindley Wood is a large reservoir at the lower end of the Washburn Valley. The Western side backs onto fields, copses and scrub, mainly Hawthorn. The Eastern shore is banked by Willow scrub and over shadowed by woodland, which is predominantly Larch. The area around the Trout farm consists of the river Washburn, mixed woodland and scrub with nearby Lindley Green being mixed farmland.

Limited parking is available at either side of the bridge where the road crosses the top end of the reservoir and also at the Trout Farm below the bottom end of the reservoir. A footpath runs along the eastern shore between the two car parking areas and special viewing areas are in the process of being created. From the Trout Farm the path goes in the opposite direction and comes out at Leathley.

Lindley was brought into the spotlight in April 1989 when a Dartford Warbler stayed for a few days. Ospreys often call in on migration, the first of these being recorded in 1990. Red Kites are now seen regularly thanks to the reintroduction scheme.

Rarer species seen on the reservoir include Black Necked Grebe, Shag, Iceland Gull and Little Gull. Duck numbers can vary, but in Winter Goldeneye, Tufted Duck, Pochard and Goosander are usually present. The latter species used to roost here in large numbers, often exceeding 100 birds but fewer do so now. Scarcer wildfowl recorded include Garganey, Scaup, Pintail, Red Breasted Merganser, Gadwall, Common Scoter and Brent Goose. Wigeon can often be present in good numbers in autumn and winter. Cormorants are resident and up to 80 have been noted roosting in the trees on the Western shore.

The water level often dictates wader passage at this site but when mud is showing the reservoir can be productive in the passage periods. Common and Green Sandpipers, Green and Redshank, Dunlin and Little Ringed Plover are regular. In 1996 up to 21 Little Stint, eight Spotted Redshanks, Sanderling and Ruff were present. Ringed Plover and Whimbrel can be recorded as well as large numbers of Lapwings.

The bottom half of the reservoir is often covered with Swifts and Hirundines hawking for insects. The woodlands hold all the commoner species including regular Redpoll, Siskin, Bullfinch, Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker as well as various species of warbler. Brambling can be seen in good numbers in winter whilst Redstart and Pied Flycatcher are often in evidence at the top end of the Reservoir in summer. Crossbills can be attracted to this area at any time of the year. The reservoir overflow is particularly good for Pied and Grey Wagtails.

The Trout Farm area is excellent for Garden Warbler and Grey Heron whilst this is possibly the best site in the BOG area to find Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Marsh and Willow Tit. Lindley Green is one of BOG’s strongholds for Yellowhammer as well as boasting a healthy Little Owl population. As with all the Washburn woodlands this whole area is very good for Roe Deer.