Grimwith Reservoir

Cazzie · #1 (**permalink**) 16-09-2007, 02:06 PM

Hi all!

A few days ago T2 gave me the 'heads-up' about a large reservoir near me that I'd completely forgotten about - Grimwith Reservoir near Hebden Bridge. So seeing as I was at a loose end yesterday I took myself off for the day!

It's HUGE!

infact it's so big I couldn't get it all in one shot lol!

I'd guess it's about 4 miles to walk round so here's a few pics...

Now I know this pic of greylag geese is rubbish (they were all so far away!) but I was curious to know why the one near the bottom has a red patch on it's neck

Oops, think I scared them lol!

Sadly the path doesn't get right to the waters edge, so getting any decent pics of waterfowl (other than Mallards) was a no-no for me

but I did get to see Goosanders, Red Legged Partridges, Robins, Wrens, Chaffinches, Grouse, a Heron, and I'm sure a Goldcrest mooching about in a pine tree!

The weather was ok in the fact that it didn't actually rain, but by the time I nearly got back to the car park it was blowing a bloomin' gale!

I'll certainly be going back again!

ChasCreek · #2 (**permalink**) 16-09-2007, 02:34 PM

That is a sizeable reservoir... looks like a good walk!

There is a wonderful reservoir in Wales (I can't for the life of me remember where) but it has the most wonderful bridge spanning the least wide end and a pumping house about half way around the reservoir that was built in a style that looks almost like a small castle, the kind of thing you would expect to find in Germany.

I did have some photos of it, but I think that was two laptops ago and they are now lost in the midsts of time.

Cazzie · #3 (**permalink**) 16-09-2007, 02:39 PM

Would that be lake Vrynwy (sp?) by any chance? Keith Shotton has recently been and as we used to live in Shropshire so we've been loadsa times - it's got a sunken village in the middle and a couple of bird hides dotted about

ChasCreek · #4 (**permalink**) 16-09-2007, 02:45 PM

Yes, I think that you are right.

There are also derelict old buildings (part of the old village) on the one side as well hidden among the trees. I have only visited it once, need to go back and drag the better half around it!

ChasCreek · #5 (**permalink**) 16-09-2007, 02:47 PM

Yep, after looking it up on the web, it is Lake Vyrnwy.

Pete Collins · #6 (**permalink**) 16-09-2007, 03:25 PM

I envy you seeing Goosanders on that reservoir, Cazzie, as I've only ever seen them three or four times.

I used to live in the Ipswich area, and there's a nice reservoir there called Alton Water. There are paths all the way round, a distance of 9-10 miles I think. There's a bridge across it at one point, and I know it used to take me just over 2 hours to walk round the larger part of the reservoir on one side of the bridge, and 40-45 minutes to go round the smaller section. Some of the smaller section is dedicated to wildlife (fishing and water sports occur elsewhere) and I did see a Goosander there once. I saw my first drake Smew on Alton Water as well.

I've a friend who lives near Harrogate and she took me on a walk round a couple of reservoirs in North Yorkshire, Fewston and Swinsty Reservoirs I think.

Cazzie · #7 (**permalink**) 16-09-2007, 05:19 PM

Been to Fewston Pete and there are Cormorants on that one! Also there are regular Kingfishers on the river/beck that runs out from the reservoir west of the bridge

Here's my really bad pic of the Goosanders.... (hope they are Goosanders!!!)

Pete Collins · #8 (**permalink**) 17-09-2007, 05:22 PM

Yes, I agree, I think they're female Goosanders. Had to check my bird book, because female Red-breasted Mergansers are quite similar, and I can never quite remember what the diferences are.