Rodley Nature Reserve Near Leeds

Birds, Insects, Mammals and Reptiles Thriving in Wetland Location

Dec 29, 2008

A nature reserve only four miles from Leeds city centre is helping to preserve wildlife while offering visitors an opportunity to see birds and wildlife acting naturally.

It is hard to believe you are on the edge of one of the major cities in the United Kingdom (UK) when you are in the Rodley Nature Reserve, as nature abounds in a lush verdant setting.

The History of the Rodley Nature Reserve

Rodley Nature Reserve near Leeds opened in 2000 after eight years of hard work and negotiation. In 1992 Yorkshire Water plc entered talks with EYE on the Aire (the Aire is the river that runs through Leeds, and EYE is an environmental lobbying group) to discuss the possibility of creating a wetland reserve.

Local wildlife and naturalist groups jumped at the opportunity, and after drawing up an outline design for the reserve at the Rodley site they formed a charitable trust. Expert advice helped create the wetland areas over the next seven years, and the volunteers have now formed the Rodley Nature Reserve Trust to run the reserve.

Features of the Rodley Nature Reserve

A two hectares lagoon provides a safe feeding and roosting site for a variety of wildlife, including swans, storks, herons and a variety of waterfowl.

Scrublands attract Roe Deer, and small animals which are hunted by Kestrel and Sparrowhawk. Other birds also enjoy the area.

The Duck Marsh has been designed to provide ideal feeding conditions for migrant waders and wintering wildfowl. Wading birds enjoy its muddy edges.

The wet reedbeds are a welcome addition for wildlife as they are becoming a scarce habitat in the UK. Amphibians, Grass Snakes, invertebrates and birds can thrive in this environment.

Wet grasslands also provide a welcome refuge for animals, as this is another environment that has been disappearing in the UK in recent times.

Facilities at the Rodley Nature Reserve

There are three observation hides looking out at the wetlands areas, and they provide an ideal way to view the wildlife at close quarters without disturbing the creatures. It is advisable to bring binoculars for the best viewing results.

A path links the entrance to the observation hides and continues to the visitor centre. The centre provides a friendly welcome, and detailed information about the wildlife in the reserve.

Entrance and Opening Hours

The reserve can be reached on foot along the Leeds-Liverpool canal, or by car between Town Street and Rodley Lane on the A657 in Rodley.

Entrance is free, and the reserve is open between 10am and 4pm on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

The copyright of the article Rodley Nature Reserve Near Leeds in Environmental Activism is owned by Marc Latham. Permission to republish Rodley Nature Reserve Near Leeds in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.