Wednesday, 15 February 2012

Canals

Watermead Country Park

Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Thurmaston
County: 
Leicestershire
Javascript is required to view this map.
Information
Wildlife Description: 

Birds

Tufted duck, Coot, Mallard, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Pochard, Shoveler, Bullfinch, Common Gull, Crow, Dunlin, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Goosander, Lapwing, Shelduck, Tree Sparrow, Wigeon, Wren, Canada Goose, Moorhen

Butterflies and moths

Speckled wood, Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper, Cinnabar moth, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma

Dragonflies and Damselflies

Brown Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Banded demoiselle damselfly

Insects

Soldier Beetle, Green Bottle, Speckled Bush-Cricket,  

Other Vertibrates

Grass Snake, Grey Squirrel

 

Forest Farm Canal-side nature reserve

Javascript is required to view this map.

Facts
Environment Type: 

canal/waterway; deciduous woodland: marsh/shallow pools; reedbeds;

Region: 
Cardiff
Address: 

Longwood Drive Coryton Cardiff

Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Whitchurch
County: 
Mid Glamorgan
Javascript is required to view this map.
Information
Place Description: 

A mass of deciduous woodland which rises uphill and can be accessed if you want a more strenous walk. Otherwise plenty of flat woodland which contains lots of alder. The old Brecon-Cardiff Canal runs along one side of the reserve. There is one large pool surrounded by reeds and one smaller pool/scrape, again flanked by reeds and woodland. During winter plenty of flooded grass areas amonst the trees.

Habitat: 

Upland deciduous woodland; flat woodland;marsh;scrape;canal; pool; alder patches;

Wildlife Description: 

Contains mallard;kingfisher;grey wagtail and abundant grey herons along the canal. Pools contain little grebe; coot and moorhen and has sand martins nesting some years. On occasion water rail. Lots of dragonflies, bats, foxes and the odd water vole. Woodlands contain bullfinches;chaffinches;robins; great, blue, long-tailed and coal tit; tawny owl; goldcrests;mistle thrushes;song thrushes; nuthatch;treecreeper; green and great spotted woodpecker. Abundant red fox. Especially valuable during winter as it usually has around 20 + snipe on the scrapes; also plenty of siskin and redpoll with frequent brambling.

Directions: 

At the large Coryton interchange which links M4 both ways with A470 there is a large Asda/Wallmart and services on the left towards M4 west. On taking that slip road you are presented with a small roundabout. Left takes you to Asda and Mcdonalds carpark, right takes you into a fuel and services garage. Straight on leads you to several factory units on an industrial estate. Around 200 metres straight on pull up on the road anywhere, but before you get to the first factory on your left. Entrance is on your left and seems hidden until you come upon it.

Best Time to Visit: 

Very busy on weekends so if you want a more peaceful photo/birdwatching opportunity best avoid these days.

Pennington Flash Country Park

Javascript is required to view this map.

Facts
Environment Type: 

Country park

Region: 
North West
Site Owned By: 
Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust
Site Managed By: 
Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Leigh
County: 
Greater Manchester
Javascript is required to view this map.
Information
Place Description: 

Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh, Lancs. A 200 hectare Country Park, centred on a 70 hectare lake or "Flash." A variety of well maintained paths cater for walkers, cyclists and horse riders. One of the premier bird watching sites in the North West with several hides overlooking the Nature Reserve. Key hides are the Horrocks hide and Bunting Hide. The Horrocks Hide overlooks "The Spit" - the remnants of an old railway line that crosses the main Flash. Here is where most of the rare sightings of gulls, waders and waterfowl are seen. The Bunting Hide is the reserves feeding station, and is excellent for getting close to small birds. If you want to photograph Bullfinches and Willow Tits, this is the place! Water Rail is a regular in Winter too.

Wildlife Description: 

Over 230 bird species recorded on site including such as Black-Faced Bunting, Nightingale, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill and Leach's Petrel. A wide variety of Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies.

Directions: 

BY CAR :- The Park lies close to the A580 East Lancashire Road and is well signposted from it. if coming from the A579 Atherleigh Way towards the A580 - turn right at the last junction before tyhe A580, at the Fire Station. The Park entrance is the first on the right. BY BUS :- From Leigh Bus Station take the 600 to the outskirts of the Park, alight at the Robin Hood pub, for details Tel 01942 883501. ON FOOT :- The Park is about a mile from Leigh town centre, there is a footpath entrance into the East side of the Park from St Helens Road, which will take you along the old Pennington Railway line.

Best Time to Visit: 

Weekends and School holidays see the park get very busy - but most stick to the play area and main paths. Winter is best for the feeding station - especially for photography - as the sparser vegetation and higher need for food helps bring the birds within camera range.

Pennington Flash Country Park

Javascript is required to view this map.

Facts
Region: 
North West
Site Owned By: 
Wigan Council
Site Managed By: 
Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Leigh
County: 
Greater Manchester
Javascript is required to view this map.
Information
Place Description: 

Pennington Flash Country Park, Leigh, Lancs. A 200 hectare Country Park, centred on a 70 hectare lake or "Flash." A variety of well maintained paths cater for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

One of the premier bird watching sites in the North West with several hides overlooking the Nature Reserve. Key hides are the Horrocks hide and Bunting Hide.

The Horrocks Hide overlooks "The Spit" - the remnants of an old railway line that crosses the main Flash. Here is where most of the rare sightings of gulls, waders and waterfowl are seen.

The Bunting Hide is the reserves feeding station, and is excellent for getting close to small birds. If you want to photograph Bullfinches and Willow Tits, this is the place! Water Rail is a regular in Winter too.
 

Wildlife Description: 

Over 230 bird species recorded on site including such as Black-Faced Bunting, Nightingale, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill and Leach's Petrel. A wide variety of Butterflies, Dragonflies and Damselflies.

Directions: 

BY CAR :- The Park lies close to the A580 East Lancashire Road and is well signposted from it. if coming from the A579 Atherleigh Way towards the A580 - turn right at the last junction before tyhe A580, at the Fire Station. The Park entrance is the first on the right.

BY BUS :- From Leigh Bus Station take the 600 to the outskirts of the Park, alight at the Robin Hood pub, for details Tel 01942 883501.

ON FOOT :- The Park is about a mile from Leigh town centre, there is a footpath entrance into the East side of the Park from St Helens Road, which will take you along the old Pennington Railway line.
 

Best Time to Visit: 

Weekends and School holidays see the park get very busy - but most stick to the play area and main paths.

Winter is best for the feeding station - especially for photography - as the sparser vegetation and higher need for food helps bring the birds within camera range.

Forest Farm Canal-side nature reserve

Facts
Region: 
Cardiff
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Whitchurch
County: 
Mid Glamorgan
Information
Place Description: 
A mass of deciduous woodland which rises uphill and can be accessed if you want a more strenous walk. Otherwise plenty of flat woodland which contains lots of alder. The old Brecon-Cardiff Canal runs along one side of the reserve. There is one large pool surrounded by reeds and one smaller pool/scrape, again flanked by reeds and woodland. During winter plenty of flooded grass areas amonst the trees.
Habitat: 
Upland deciduous woodland; flat woodland;marsh;scrape;canal; pool; alder patches;
Wildlife Description: 
Contains mallard;kingfisher;grey wagtail and abundant grey herons along the canal. Pools contain little grebe; coot and moorhen and has sand martins nesting some years. On occasion water rail. Lots of dragonflies, bats, foxes and the odd water vole. Woodlands contain bullfinches;chaffinches;robins; great, blue, long-tailed and coal tit; tawny owl; goldcrests;mistle thrushes;song thrushes; nuthatch;treecreeper; green and great spotted woodpecker. Abundant red fox. Especially valuable during winter as it usually has around 20 + snipe on the scrapes; also plenty of siskin and redpoll with frequent brambling.
Directions: 
At the large Coryton interchange which links M4 both ways with A470 there is a large Asda/Wallmart and services on the left towards M4 west. On taking that slip road you are presented with a small roundabout. Left takes you to Asda and Mcdonalds carpark, right takes you into a fuel and services garage. Straight on leads you to several factory units on an industrial estate. Around 200 metres straight on pull up on the road anywhere, but before you get to the first factory on your left. Entrance is on your left and seems hidden until you come upon it.
Best Time to Visit: 
Very busy on weekends so if you want a more peaceful photo/birdwatching opportunity best avoid these days.
Syndicate content