Bradford Area

Bradford

A  Chellow Dene
B  Caldene Fields, Raw Nook NR & Toad Holes Beck
C  Thackley Woods
D  Apperley Bridge
E  Hirstwood and Dowley Gap
F  Harold Park Lake, Wibsey
G  Manningham Park
H  Queensbury area
J  Cottingley Woods
K  Park Dam, Low Moor
L  Horton Bank Country Park
M  Northcliffe Woods, Shipley








Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported with additions by Bradford Ornithological Group (2018).
A   Chellow DeneUse the car park off Haworth Road in Sandy Lane village. The site consists of woodland, two reservoirs and a wetland area, which was constructed in 2005 by diverting a small flow of the beck, to improve the overall biodiversity.  It consists of a series of ponds at the lower end of the site that act together to remove sediment and impurities from the water before returning it to the beck further downstream.  There are well-maintained paths throughout, taking the walker from the car-park through Beech woods, which is a favoured site for Brambling in winter.  Other species noted here include Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch and on the reservoirs Great Crested Grebe, Goosander, Coot and Tufted Duck.
A booklet of walks, published by Bradford Council is available.
B    Caldene Fields SE165286   This area incorporating Caldene Fields, Raw Nook Nature Reserve and Toad Holes Beck are located at Low Moor in South Bradford. Caldene Fields is eight acres in size and is adjacent to Raw Nook. The flora of the site is predominately old meadow with a scattered of Hawthorn bushes.

There is a pond located to the south east of the site, which flows directly into Raw Nook and through into Toad Holes Beck. The view of the fields is from the Watch Point with Emley Moor mast on the horizon to the S/E. The fields are private but can be viewed from a public footpath.

Given the fields are set in an urban location, Visible Migration is quite good particularly in mid October but at times can be very hard work. Over the years grounded birds found using the urban migration route have included Pied Flycatcher, Ring Ouzel, Cuckoo, Black Redstart, and at least seven species of wader.  The area supports breeding Lesser Whitethroat.

Anyone wishing to visit this urban site should be aware an early visit is advised to avoid disturbance from dog walkers and the general public.
C   Thackley Woods
D   Apperley Bridge
E   Hirstwood, Shipley  The wooded ares of Hirstwood on the south side of the River Aire and Bull Copy Woods to the north provides the birder with an opportunity to see a good range of woodland species such as Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Sparrow Hawk.  This area has long been an established site for the elusive Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and Bull Copy Woods and the nearby Coach Road at the bottom of Shipley Glen are good places to watch for this bird.  However, there have been many fewer sightings since 2010 and the species is now considered to be almost extinct in this part of the Aire Valley. Kingfisher can be seen along the canal and River Aire in addition to Common Sandpiper, Goosander and Dipper which can often be seen on the river, particularly near the sewage works at Dowley Gap and at the weir where the beck emerges from Shipley Glen.  A large roost of Grey Herons can be seen throughout the autumn and winter on the 'muck-heap' to the north of Bull Copy Woods.  Up 20 birds gather here when the river is in full flow.

Dowley Gap Sewage Works hold good numbers of Pied Wagtails during the winter.  A wintering gull roost is a permanent feature along with other birds seeking refuge such as Meadow Pipit and Grey Wagtail.  In spring and summer, Swallow and Swift feed over the settling tanks.  
F   Harold Park Lake, Wibsey Birds found in and around the lakes include Coot, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Moorhen, and Mallard, and around the park Mistle Thrush, Blackbird, Redwing, Blue Tit, Chaffinch and Wood Pigeon.
G  Manningham Park
H  Queensbury area
J   Cottingley Woods
K   Park Dam, Low Moor
L   Horton Bank Country Park
M   Northcliffe Woods, Shipley  
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