Huddersfield Birdwatchers' Club

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Site 1: Blackmoorfoot Reservoir, Crosland Moor (SE099125)
This reservoir attracts birds flying along local river systems and is ideally placed for visible migration observations. By 2003, watchers here had recorded their 203rd species for the site. The gull roost regularly holds some 7000 birds.
Public access to all areas other than West bank, which is restricted to permit holders only.

Site 2: The Ingbirchworth Group of Reservoirs, lngbirchworth, S. Yorks (SE214059)
In the same vein as Blackmoorfoot, regular watching of the area around Broadstones Res., lngbirchworth Res., Royd Moor Res., and Scout Dyke can produce some good birding, especially during periods of passage migration at both ends of the year, but especially so in late summer.

Site 3: Bretton Lakes YWT Reserve and Bretton CP (SE284123) 6Oha: two ornamental lakes in wooded parkland. Good for winter duck, including regular Goosander and Smew in Jan-Feb, whilst Goldeneye, Pintail, Pochard, Teal and Wigeon are more regularly encountered. Summer visitors include most of the usual warblers, including less regular Grasshopper Warblers. Both Spotted and Pied Flycatchers occur, as do both Grey and Yellow Wagtails. Marshy areas amidst the carr woodlands, and the lakesides, can give tantalising glimpses of Water Rails, although Kingfishers can be seen all along the stretch of River Dearne that passes through the area. The broad-leafed woodlands are home to all three species of woodpecker, where Tawny Owls breed, and where the occasional Hawfinch can sometimes be encountered. Recent years has seen an unprecedented increase in Nuthatch numbers.
Public access to Bretton CP. Bretton Lakes is a YWT reserve, from whom permits may be obtained. Limited access to this area via public footpaths which cross the area in several places.

Site 4: Deffer Wood, Cawthorne (SE260087)
Possibly one of the largest expanses of (working) coniferous plantation in the area. In bulk, mature woodland, it has several areas which have been clear-felled and replanted producing areas of uneven age woodland. Planted with broad-leafed species on the woodland edges, some quite extensive stands of broad-leaved woodland give opportunity to see a wide range of woodland species including all three woodpeckers, Pied Flycatcher (which has been proven to breed), whilst in the more mature sections of coniferous plantation Crossbills occur.
Good access to most parts of the woodland area via public footpaths.

Site 5: Horbury Wyke (SE272186)
An area of subsidence marsh with much emergent vegetation situated between the river (Calder) and the canal (Calder and Hebble Navigation) at Horbury Bridge. The area is wet all the year round but water levels fluctuate seasonally. Breeding Sedge and Reed Warblers, Grasshopper Warbler occurs, as does Lesser Whitethroat and the other commoner warblers. Willow Tit regular. Common Tern and Kingfisher visit. Probably best at times of passage when Little Stint, Ruff, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Wood and Green Sandpiper have all been recorded. Adjacent Horbury Strands - a grassy area subject to flash-flooding - is, similarly, well worth looking at.
Access unrestricted: easiest approach is from the Navigation pub, on the canal side.