Low Wood Nature Reserve

Low Wood Nature Reserve is leased to the Trust by Bradford City Council. The reserve supports a wide range of bird and animal life. The most common flowering plants are bluebell, foxglove and climbing corydalis. Autumn sees up to 34 species of fungi emerge.

The reserve is home to a number of breeding tit and finch species along with woodcock and two species of owl, little and tawny. Green and great spotted woodpeckers are resident, whilst lesser spotted woodpecker is a frequent visitor. A nest box scheme has encouraged both tawny owls and pied flycatcher to breed annually and the Leeds-Liverpool Canal supports breeding mallard, moorhen and mute swan. Kingfisher and grey heron are often seen. Chiffchaff, willow and wood warbler are regular spring visitors along with cuckoo, whilst redwing and siskin appear in winter.

At dusk, the wood comes alive with many species of mammal such as fox, badger, roe deer and three species of bat. The localised water shrew is present along with other shrew, vole and mouse species. Both frog and toad inhabit the reserve and common lizard are sometimes seen on the dry-stone boundary walls. A number of species of dragon, damsel and mayflies has been recorded along with 14 species of butterfly.

Bradford City Council maintain the dry-stone walls, fencing and gates as well as thinning out trees as necessary to open up the canopy. Invasive species such as rhododendron and bracken are controlled by the Trust and we have also planted many native trees.

Directions

The reserve is situated three miles north of Keighley near East Riddlesden.

By car approach along the B6265 and take the Granby Lane turning north at the traffic lights outside East Riddlesden Hall, crossing the Leeds-Liverpol Canal. Turn left along Scott Lane through Riddlesden village. As the road comes to an end it becomes an unimproved road until it reaches Riddlesden Golf Club car park. Follow the track down past the car park to the parking area at the side of the canal by Booth's Bridge.