Bird photography in Leeds?

[Zoundz]

Hey all,

Pick your brains if I may - we're coming over to Leeds at then end of the month, and although we'll not have that much time, we are hoping to spend a day doing some bird photography. We're heading out to Blacktoft Sands to do some birdwatching, but we wondered if there were any good places to do some bird photography in or near Leeds? Somewhere with a good range of feeders, or a feeding station? Anywhere that may be nice to sit for a few hours watching and snapping away would be lovely. Something like a bird of prey feeding centre would be great, but we're not fussy, even somewhere with some of the common garden birds that's good to photograph them!

Thanks all!

xx

[BillyPilgrim]

I live a few miles to the south of Leeds and don't know the area well but there are a couple of places that I've been to. Both are north of the city.

Adel Dam is a fairly small YWT (Yorkshire Wildlife Trust) reserve. I've only been there once and that was a couple of years ago. There was a busy feeding station and a hide at the edge of the lake.

Nature Reserves :: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

Very close by is Eccup reservoir where there is a Red Kite breeding program. I haven't been there for a while either but I assume they are still around.

There's a thread about Eccup here -

Yorkshire red kites

[Zoundz]

Thank you - will definitely try Adel out! On reading the thread about kites - I think we may have solved the mystery of the 'eagle' my father in law has been seeing over their back garden recently! They live very near to some of the areas mentioned

xx

[Richard G.]

Fairburn Ings is not too far away.
My folks have been getting good views of Water Rail and Kingfisher here recently.

[Zoundz]

That looks fantastic! I think we'll definitely visit there! We were heading out to Blacktoft Sands because we thought it may have been one of the closest to Leeds - obviously missed that one! Very excited - it sounds gorgeous!

xx

[BillyPilgrim]

If you fancy something further afield and (IMO) better than the RSPB reserves you could consider YWT Potteric Carr. Its near Doncaster and about 30-40 mins drive from Leeds.

It is a 500 acre wetland/grassland/woodland reserve with 14 hides, a visitor centre and a cafe open 10am-4pm.

Potteric Carr Nature Reserve: Home Page

You can easily lose yourself for a day here.

[Zoundz]

That looks really lovely - definitely a thought, if not this visit, the next one. We do go quite often.

xx

[Zoundz]

Well, we did Fairburn Ings yesterday and Potteric Carr today, and thoroughly enjoyed both! Thanks all!

xx