Willow Garth Nature Reserve

Willow Garth Nature Reserve lies alongside the River Aire in an area designated as floodplain. Even though the reserve is criss-crossed by many ditches, water lies just a few inches below the surface. The reserve has been leased from Croda Distillates by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust since 1979. 6.1 hectares of open water, marsh, willow carr and newly planted willow make up the reserve. Many years ago the reserve was a commercial osier bed where willow was grown to make baskets and furniture.

Around the pond you can find plenty of reeds and bulrushes along with some sedge. Almost all of the marsh is covered in reed grass but there are also wildflowers such as meadowsweet and hairy willow-herb. Hop grows in two places and corn marigold grows along the main ditch. Two plants to colonise recently are winter-cress and cuckooflower. Passage waders have included greenshank and redshank, common and green sandpipers. Several species of warbler can be seen, sedge warbler being the reserve’s most common breeding bird. Harvest mouse is the most numerous small mammal, but bank vole and common and pygmy shrew have also been seen.

An area of the reserve is managed as a traditional willow coppice. Willow stems are cut off at the base of the tree, encouraging new stems to grow ready for the next harvest. The rest of Willow Garth is managed less actively with open water and footpaths kept clear for visitors.

Directions

Willow Garth is situated almost due east of Knottingley off the A645.

From Knottingley, heading eastwards along the A645, cross the Leeds to Goole Canal (very close to the works of Croda). Almost on the brow of the bridge turn left into unmetalled Trundles Lane. (It is a bad junction so use extreme caution.)

After 200 yards, where a narrow footbridge across a canal is ahead, turn sharp right. The unfenced canal is now on the left and the Croda works on the right.

Continue along this lane for a third-of-a-mile until it leaves the works fence. Park here on the roadside. The reserve entrance lies 200 yards ahead, on the right.