FOULRIDGE RESERVOIRS - Grid Reference SD891415.

Foulridge lies just North of Colne, Lancashire, UK.  The two reservoirs are owned by British Waterways and were built in the 1800’s to supply water to the Leeds Liverpool Canal, as were the nearby Slipper Hill and Whitemoor Reservoirs.

Access
From Junction 14 of the M65 take the A6068.  After 1.1miles turn left at the second set of traffic lights onto the A56 towards Skipton.  The Upper and Lower Foulridge Reservoirs are on the right and left sides respectively after a further 0.7 mile.

Lower Foulridge has access all round the reservoir whilst Upper Foulridge can be viewed from the A56 and from the causeway at the eastern end which separates it from a smaller water known as Brownhill Reservoir.  Slipperhill has access along one bank but there is no public access to Whitemoor.

Birds
Lower Foulridge has a breeding population of GC Grebe, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot, and Reed Bunting.  In autumn water levels dictate the numbers of waders recorded.  Following a dry summer low water levels may leave large areas of exposed mud that typically attract Little and Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Ruff, Redshank and Greenshank.  During exceptionally dry years Knot, Sanderling, Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper have also been recorded.  During Autumn and Spring there is often a passage of Common, Arctic and Black Terns and passerines are often found in the vegetation surrounding the reservoir.

Winter birding usually produces Little Grebe, Cormorant, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, and Goosander (often in good numbers).  Occasional visitors are Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveller, Scaup, and Ruddy Duck.  There is also a large Gull roost with Iceland, Glaucous and Mediterranean Gulls being recorded, mid week being the best.

Upper Foulridge is a major wintering site for Lapwing, up to 1000 being recorded.  Canada Geese (250+) along with Wigeon graze the surrounding fields.  Again waders are attracted when water levels are low.

Article kindly provided by A.A. Cooper.