IanF
Moderator
Located just off the A66 on it's south side behind Smallways Bridge Inn in North Yorkshire about halfway between Scotch Corner and Bowes. Grid ref. NZ 5111 4112. Access for viewing is from the Smallways to Newsham road. There are a couple of gaps in the hedge and roadside parking. Spotting Scopes aren't a prerequisite, but are strongly advised for viewing the far banks.
A deightful small lake located in an enexpected area geographically. For years it was a marshy area but the farmer/owner has changed it into a permanent body of water, with the intention of founding a nature reserve. I haven't spoken to him myself, but I understand he plans on erecting hides around the lake. It's unexpected in that it appears to be on a perched water table on a broad ridge of higher land and no other body of water close by.
Rather surprisingly it attracts an amazing number of birds including many waders which wouldn't otherwise be seen in this part of the country, generally regarded as coastal birds. It's a boon to local birdwtchers. In Spring this year I have seen Ruff, Ringed Plover, Garganey, Gadwall, Little Gull, Common Tern, Wood Sandpiper, Turnstone, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Sandpiper, Redshank in addition to the more normal range of water birds of which there is a very good head. A Cinnamon Teal seems to have taken up residence. Buzzards breed in the the nearby Pennines and can be seen over head on occasion.
Definitely a gem of the Pennines and well worth a break in your journey if passing through this way.
An additional location and an extension of the same body of water lies on the north side of the A66 a hundred yards to the east of Smallways Inn. I mention it as there is a convenient layby right beside it. Many water birds feed in this pond, fed by natural springs - including the Gadwall, Garganey and Cinnamon Teal.
Be aware though that the roadside fence is electrified - a friend discovered that little feature 3
A deightful small lake located in an enexpected area geographically. For years it was a marshy area but the farmer/owner has changed it into a permanent body of water, with the intention of founding a nature reserve. I haven't spoken to him myself, but I understand he plans on erecting hides around the lake. It's unexpected in that it appears to be on a perched water table on a broad ridge of higher land and no other body of water close by.
Rather surprisingly it attracts an amazing number of birds including many waders which wouldn't otherwise be seen in this part of the country, generally regarded as coastal birds. It's a boon to local birdwtchers. In Spring this year I have seen Ruff, Ringed Plover, Garganey, Gadwall, Little Gull, Common Tern, Wood Sandpiper, Turnstone, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin, Sandpiper, Redshank in addition to the more normal range of water birds of which there is a very good head. A Cinnamon Teal seems to have taken up residence. Buzzards breed in the the nearby Pennines and can be seen over head on occasion.
Definitely a gem of the Pennines and well worth a break in your journey if passing through this way.
An additional location and an extension of the same body of water lies on the north side of the A66 a hundred yards to the east of Smallways Inn. I mention it as there is a convenient layby right beside it. Many water birds feed in this pond, fed by natural springs - including the Gadwall, Garganey and Cinnamon Teal.
Be aware though that the roadside fence is electrified - a friend discovered that little feature 3
