Swillington Ings near Leeds, Yorkshire, England - March 2016

One of my favourite reserves in the whole North of England due to it's open plan nature. There are many lakes, ponds, reedbeds and meadows. There are lots of nature trails and as you walk around you can see the wildlife and observe it from the paths.

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/staidans/

St Aidan's is a perfect place to get close to nature and relax, unwind or exercise in a stress-free environment. Just outside Leeds on the banks of the River Aire, it's a big new space to walk, run, cycle, or ride your horse and enjoy the wildlife that surrounds you.

It has a wide range of wild plants and animals, and is home to thousands of birds, brown hares, roe deer, wild flowers and insects - all living in a stunning landscape of vast reedbeds, grassland, woodland, lakes, ponds and islands.

With a variety of circular paths of varying lengths and large areas of open grassland, St Aidan’s is a great place for families to enjoy the outdoors, share a picnic and play together.

Over 7.5 miles (12 km) of footpaths, bridleways and cycle routes connect the surrounding communities, with links to national footpath and cycle networks. St Aidan's is a fantastic place for locals wishing to explore the wider countryside or as a destination for people who love nature.

Opening times

St Aidan's is an open access site. Opening times apply to the visitor centre and car park. From March-October they're open from 9.30 am to 5 pm. From September-February it's 9.30 am to 4 pm. They're closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Entrance charges

Entry to the site is free but donations to help us continue our work are welcome. There is a car park charge of £2.50 per car for RSPB non-members. RSPB members and disabled badge holders park for free.

Information for dog owners

Dogs are allowed on the reserve as long as they are kept on a lead in the appropriate designated zones. There are some less sensitive areas within St Aidan's where dogs are allowed off the lead. Please check with staff before letting dogs off the lead.

Star species

Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.

Bittern

Bitterns are brown, secretive herons, camouflaged to hide amongst reeds. Visit in spring to hear male bitterns 'booming' or summer to watch the parents making feeding flights.

Great crested grebe

Watch the amazing courtship ritual of great crested grebes on the open water in spring. You may see pairs performing their 'weed dance' when they present one another with weed and patter across the surface of the water together.

Little owl

You may be lucky enough to find one of these compact owls perched in a tree or on a fencepost. They become very active at dusk and you may hear their shrill calls.

Marsh harrier

Look for marsh harriers gliding over the reedbed with their wings held upwards in a shallow 'v'. In spring, pairs perform their breathtaking 'skydancing' displays high in the sky.

Skylark

Spring visits will be enriched by the beautiful song of skylarks. They rise up into the air from the grassland until they are barely visible and only their song can be heard

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/s/staidans/seasonal_highli...

Seasonal highlights

Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.

Spring

Look out for marsh harriers displaying over the reedbeds, great crested grebes performing their elaborate courtship dances and returning swallows skimming low over the water and grasslands as they collect insects. Listen out for skylarks filling the air with their song, the deep booming of male bitterns, male snipe 'drumming' as they vibrate their tail feathers to attract females and lapwings calling as they perform their aerobatic displays. Enjoy the fusion of colour as wildflowers burst into bloom and a host of brightly-coloured butterflies and dragonflies take to the wing. Spring is also a great time to see kestrels. You can often see several hovering around the site at the same time as they hunt for voles in the grassland. Kestrels have also been seen nesting in the huge dragline.

Summer

Watch overhead for herons and little egrets dropping into the reeds to feed, female bitterns flying low over the reedbeds as they seek out food for their chicks or marsh harriers passing food to each other in flight. Keep an eye on the open water for lines of young ducklings paddling along behind their parents or young great crested grebes riding around on their parents' backs and admire the abundant lilypads on the lakes. Stoats, weasels and water voles are often seen at this time of year as are basking butterflies and dragonflies hawking the waters edge. Thousands of black-headed gulls set up a colony at this time of the year filling the air with their calls. Summer is the best time to spot the elusive black necked grebe as it will have its fluffy youngsters in tow. Avocets also nest at this time of year. St Aidan’s is a good place to spot this iconic bird that is the logo of the RSPB.

Autumn

Autumn sees the arrival of migrant birds, such as black-tailed godwits, ruffs and green sandpipers. Local birdwatchers will also spot a few rarities such as spoonbills and pectoral sandpipers. Huge flocks of lapwings arrive to spend winter with us and can be seen around pool edges and on grassland. Short-eared owls hunt over the reedbeds and our winter wildfowl begin to arrive. Look out for flashes of blue as kingfishers flit up and down the river.

Winter

Waders and wildfowl such as lapwings, curlews, wigeons, teals, shovelers and goldeneyes gather in big numbers, roosting and feeding across the grasslands and pools. Water rails can be spotted feeding on frozen pools, or you can listen out for their strange, pig-like squealing! The elusive bittern is also drawn out into the open at times. One of the most awesome spectacles in winter is seeing massive flocks of roosting birds panic and fly into the air as peregrines hunt over the site. Look and listen out for overwintering stonechats. Their calls sound like two pebbles being knocked together!

Facilities

Facilities

•Visitor centre
•Car park : There's a car park charge of £2.50 per car for RSPB non-members. RSPB members and disabled badge holders park for free. We have cycle parking and a height restriction of 2.7 m (8' 10'') for vehicles.
•Toilets
•Disabled toilets
•Baby-changing facilities
•Picnic area
•Group bookings accepted
•Guided walks available
•Good for walking
•Pushchair friendly

Nature trails

Bowers Bimble: Starting from the car park, this 0.9-mile (1.5 km) flat trail takes you on a short walk around Bowers Lake then through grassland and wild flower meadows. Great for a relaxing stroll (20-30 minutes).

Lowther Loop: For a walk through shady woodland glades and along the banks of the River Aire, venture onto this 1.3 mile (2 km) flat trail. In wet winter months, it’s a welly boot walk (60 minutes).

Hillside Hike: For stunning landscapes and panoramic views of the nature park and surrounding areas, t ake a hike onto the hillside. This trail is 1.3 miles (2 km) with some steep hills and inclines, which wind through the trees and grassland (40-60 minutes).

Reedbed Ramble: To explore the magic of the whispering reedbeds, take a walk on this 1.7-mile (2.8 km) flat route that runs around the edges of the reedbeds and loops back to the main entrance (40-45 minutes).

As the new custodians of St Aidan's, we are aiming to improve the accessibility of our paths as soon as we can. Please contact us for updates on footpath and bridleway conditions.

Refreshments available

•Hot drinks
•Cold drinks
•Snacks
•Confectionery

By train

The nearest train stations are Woodlesford (3.2 miles), Castleford (3.2 miles) and Garforth (4.3 miles). If you're going to be walking or cycling from the station to St Aidan's, choose Woodlesford station. Turn left out of the station then left onto the main road. When you get to the bridge over the Aire and Calder navigation, cross it, then turn right and walk along the riverbank until you reach St Aidan's. If you're going to take a taxi from the station to St Aidan's, head towards Castleford station as it's easier to get a taxi there.

By bus

The nearest bus stop is just outside the entrance to St Aidan’s, on Astley Lane. The Number 167 Leeds to Castleford bus stops here and is run by Arriva Yorkshire.

By road

Reach us from junction 46 of the M1. Follow the A63, signposted Selby and Garforth. At the roundabout, take the fourth left for Wakefield A642, Swillington and Oulton. Follow the A642 for 1.5 miles then turn left on to Astley Lane. St Aidan's is 1.8 miles on the right.

From Castleford, follow the A656 (Barnsdale Road) north out of the town centre for 1.4 miles. Turn left onto Station Road towards Allerton Bywater and travel 1.2 miles. Turn left onto the Leeds Road (next to the yellow corner shop). St Aidan’s is 0.5 miles along the road on the left.

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / West Yorkshire (show map)

Taken on: March 13, 2016

Tags:

rspb

swillington

yorkshire

west yorkshire

rspb st aidan's

rspb st aidan's nature park

nature parks in yorkshire

nature parks in england

nature parks in the uk

nature parks in britain

nature parks in the british isles

nature parks near leeds

LS26 8AL

rspb sites in yorkshire

nature reserves in yorkshire

protected areas in yorkshire

natural heritage of yorkshire

nature reserves of west yorkshire

wetlands of england

wetlands of yorkshire

places to vsit near leeds

places to visit in yorkshire

places to visit in west yorkshire

ecotourism in yorkshire

ecotourism in west yorkshire

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves in England

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves in britain

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves in yorkshire

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves

breathing areas in yorkshire

where to see wildlife near leeds

where to see wildlife in yorkshire

birdwaching in yorkshire

st aidan's in winter

winter in st aidan's

swillington ings in winter

winter in swillington ings

yorkshire in winter

winter in yorkshire « less

Sets appears in: • The British Winter • The Work of the RSPB more » • Yorkshire, England • RSPB St Aidan's Near Swillington In Yorkshire, England • Group 2 « less

Groups appears in: • England • Flickr Addicts more » • European Union • European Travel • National Geographic Wannabes • Outdoor Photographer Magazine (Unofficial) • Landscape Exploration • Faded Wilted Withered (flowers, leaves and plants) • Favorites: 35 • Lakes and Reservoirs • Paisajes del mundo/World Landscapes • It's Grim Up North • Views: 10,000 • Favorite Land- and Seascape Pictures • Lonely Planet Photo Challenges • English Landscape • Nature & Landscapes • One Of A Kind • Flickr Special- Post 1- Give 5 Comments • Our world of nature • Dazzling Shots | Post 1 comment 5 | • Discovery Photos: Post 1, Vote for 3 • HABLA HISPANA -1, COM 5 en 15 fotos con el Codigo • Muslim Photographs (Post 2- Comment on any 5) • LANDSCAPES DREAMS -Please comment on two (2)!!! • Great British Landscapes (No buildings, boats, people or animals • Out in the Green • Official National Geographic Group • GR8 - Photos • Flickr Lovers / Flickr ı Sevenler **POST 1 COMMENT 5!! • Nikon flickr Award (Post 1 - Award 3) • NatureLovers • Our Memories, Our Times • Magical Moments ! (post 1 / comment 2) • Images Of England • Dragonfly Awards * Post1 - Award 3 * *Sweeper Active* • National Geographic | World Wide • My Photographic Memory • Dreams Come True (Award on 3) • FAV Lovers : Post 1 and Fav 3 • MY CAMERA NEVER LIES (P1+A3)Sweeper Active • Landscape Beauty ! • EXPRESS YOURSELF ✲ rules changed: NO 2end LIFE! - • Nikon in the UK • Just One Look • Love the World of Nature ( Post-1, Award-2 ) • Nature's Garden (P1 / A3) • National Geographic Group • NATURE'S PRIME (P1/A4) • NATURALEZA PERFECTA / PERFECT NATURE • Obiettivo & Fotocamera • Nature Imagery - Loving Nature! - Post 1/Award 2 • New Gold Seal of Quality- Post 1,comment 3 • Mermaid Awards *Post 1 - Award 3* *Sweeper Active* • NATURË / P1 & A2 • DREAM LANDSCAPES UK • Soliduu ¡¡¡¡ ▲ High Quality Photos ▲ [P1-C3] • Earth creates - We are the users ♣ P1/A2 • Nature's Gallery (Post 1 / Award 3) • EXCELLENT GALLERY ( P1, C2 ) • Mother Earth, Father Sky (No People, No Man-made) • Pakistani Photographers Association (PPA) • Landscape Beauty - Beleza de Paisagem / Landscapes Only! • La passion de la Nature • Fine Gold • JUDOJUDO E LA FOTOGRAFIA • ☯ la quinta essenza ☯ • JUDOJUDO E LA NATURA - P1/C2 • From You to Us / De Vous à Nous • 10,000 Views Unlimited 10000 • Magic of Photography • Landscape/Seascape images of the World • Greenscene ~ Admin Invite ~ • Landscape, Nature and Wildlife Nirvana • 10.000 / 10000 views at least (NO LIMITS, NO 30/60) • Nature photo passion • Landscapes - Seascapes - Cityscapes « less

Camera: NIKON COOLPIX P900, f/2.8, 1/1250 sec, 4.3mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	NIKON COOLPIX P900
Aperture:	f/2.8
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1250)
Focal Length:	4.3mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	-0.6 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	High gain down
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	COOLPIX P900 V1.3
Show full info

Stats: 23,747 views / 53 comments