Adel Dam nature reserve (c) John Potter
false - Vaughn Matthews (please also tag @vaughnmatthews8 if using on Instagram or @VaughnMatthews2 on Twitter)
Luke Massey/2020VISION
Kingfisher - Jon Hawkins
Adel Dam Nature Reserve
Location
OS Map Reference
SE 2712 4144View on What3Words
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Open at all times. We recommend a 1 hour outing for this reserve. For a longer outing or day out to Leeds take a look around Eccup Reservoir, Harewood House and Tropical World, or neighbouring Golden Acre Park, where there are toilets and a café.Best time to visit
March to May, August to OctoberAbout the reserve
It’s been an operational dam, and a central feature of a Victorian garden (there are no fewer than 36 species of high, majestic trees here), but today this reserve is one of the best places in Yorkshire to see kingfishers, enjoy some peaceful down-time, and capture some stunning wildlife photography.
Kingfishers are Adel Dam’s star species but there are many other birds to look for from two hides, a viewing screen, and the paths around the reserve. From Lake Hide you can see tufted ducks, grebes, coots and moorhens, which all raise their families on the pool in summer. At Marsh Hide, the feeding station attracts woodland birds including great spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, jays, finches and tits. Away from the feeding areas, with luck, you might even spot the tiny lesser spotted woodpecker or an elusive water rail. And don’t forget to look up for birds of prey, as red kites are a common sight, along with sparrowhawks and buzzards.
Unusually, the reserve combines both dry and wet woodland. Adel Dam is a fantastic example of a wet woodland and the entire habitat acts as a big sponge – the mosses, plants and trees soak up and hold lots of water. This increasingly rare habitat is brilliant for beetles, moths, snails, spiders, frogs and toads. The fungi in autumn is worth a visit all by itself, with a mix of colours and shapes, including the bright scarlet elfcup and yellow sulphur tuft. Last but not least, you might also encounter roe deer, tawny owls, foxes or even a badger.
Species
Habitat
Contact us
About
The gently shelving edges and muddy margins of the central lake provide valuable feeding area for a variety of waterfowl throughout the year. Managed as a nature reserve since 1968, the site extends beyond the lake to include marsh and ponds within a wooded setting.
The reserve is unusual in that it combines both dry and wet woodland types - the latter being an increasingly rare habitat, vital for a great number of invertebrate species.
Introduced tree species such as the spectacular corsican pine are mixed together with more traditional native trees and shrubs.
Read more about the origins of Adel Dam below under 'history'.
Seasonal highlights
- Spring: Plants - Bluebell; Marsh marigold; Birds - Blackcap; Chiffchaff
- Summer: Plants - Foxgloves; Invertebrates - Dragonflies; Birds - Mandarin Duck; Mammals - Bats
- Autumn: Fungi - Yellow sulphur tuft; Scarlet elf cups; Birds - Fieldfare; Siskin; Lesser redpoll
- Winter: Birds - Little grebe; Goosander; Kingfisher
History
Adel Dam was once an operational dam to the water power industry. It then became a central feature of a Victorian Garden, which saw the planting of many exotic trees that can be seen today in their majestic maturity.
The original dam wall holding back a large lake eventually declined and is now reprofiled to create a much more natural, shallower lake, resilient to flood events.
Directions
Public transport
Take a bus from Leeds or Otley, alight at Golden Acre Park.
By car
Park in the Golden Acre car park (off A660) and take the underpass into the park. Turn right onto the Meanwood Valley trail and continue with the lake to your left. Turn left onto the bridleway (not over the bridge) and the Reserve entrance gate is on your right.
There are wheelchair friendly paths from the car park to the nature reserve and to Marsh Hide, a RADAR key is required by wheelchair users at the nature reserve entrance.
Please note, from February 10th 2025, parking charges apply in Golden Acre car parks. Click here for more information.
A big thank you!
Your donations help us to maintain the hides and stock up the bird feeding station at Marsh hide, to help ensure great views of the birds.
(c) Simon Basford
Magical Wildlife Moments...
The first time a child (or even a grown-up) sets eyes on a kingfisher or woodpecker – unforgettable!
The autumn colours were even more beautiful when the sun came out
Photo Credit - Telling our Story Volunteer, Sara
