England · five wildlife sites

Nature reserves & wildlife sites in West Yorkshire

Explore these places for wildlife in West Yorkshire. Seasonal notes suggest when to look; sightings are not guaranteed.

01 / 05

St Aidan’s

Near Swillington, near Leeds

Habitat: Extensive reedbeds, shallow lakes, wet grassland and open pools on a restored mining site.
Wildlife to look for: Black-necked grebe (spring–summer), bittern (elusive; listen in spring), lapwing, redshank, marsh harrier.

02 / 05

Near Adel, Leeds

Habitat: A sheltered lake, marsh and ponds surrounded by wet and dry woodland.
Wildlife to look for: Mandarin duck, kingfisher, little grebe, goosander (winter), siskin (autumn–winter).

03 / 05

Near Bardsey, near Leeds

Habitat: Ancient woodland, rocky outcrops and patches of limestone grassland beside a beck.
Wildlife to look for: Roe deer, nuthatch, treecreeper, tawny owl, blackcap (spring–summer).

04 / 05

Near Kippax, near Castleford

Habitat: A former colliery transformed into wildflower meadows, woodland, ponds and a lake.
Wildlife to look for: Willow tit, green woodpecker, yellowhammer, emperor dragonfly (summer), four-spotted chaser dragonfly (late spring–summer).

05 / 05

Near Berry Brow, Huddersfield

Habitat: Restored grassland, hedgerows, scrub and woodland on the edge of the Pennines.
Wildlife to look for: Kestrel, barn owl (especially at dusk), little owl, swallow (spring–summer), meadow brown butterfly (summer).