Local nature reserves
Greenfield Nature Reserve
How to get there
Off Whitewalls Drive, Colne, BB8 9QX
On Foot: There are access points off Greenfield Road to the west of Whitewalls Drive. Internal footpaths are concessionary.
Train: The Nearest station is Colne, approximately 750m east of the reserve.
Bus: From Nelson and Colne use the Greenline bus, which can be hailed. The nearest stop to the reserve is Boundary Mill.
Cycleway: Greenfield Road is a highway, but note that cycling is not permitted within the reserve.
Road: At the roundabout at the end of the M65, turn right onto Whitewalls Drive and turn right at the next roundabout, effectively doubling back on yourself, but take the 2nd left (after Colne Water) into Greenfield Road, before the M65 roundabout
Leeds/Liverpool Canal: 150m Southeast of the canal where it goes under the M65
Site Information
Size: 3.2 hectares, 7.7 acres
Designated: October 2006
Situated on the slopes and flood plain of Colne Water. A mill leat and pond are surviving features from its past industrial use in supplying water to a large cotton mill downstream (west). Today the site supports woodland and scrub, grassland, wetland and tall ruderal vegetation. A sewage treatment works on the other side of the river attracts a variety of birds which also visit the reserve or can be seen from the site.
Nearest Town: Barrowford, Nelson and Colne
Grid Reference: SD 872 396 (centre)
OS Maps: Landranger 103 Blackburn (1:50,000), Outdoor Leisure 21 South Pennines (1:25,000)
Ownership: Pendle Borough Council
Status: Important Wildlife Site (Pendle Local Plan)
Nearest toilets: Town centres or nearby shopping centre
Other details: Habitat and species boards are on site. There is a "Friends of" group.
No. of plants: 182 including burnet rose, wild angelica, marsh-marigold, meadow crane's-bill, ground-ivy, purple loosestrife, butterbur, zigzag clover and tufted vetch.
No. of birds: 61 including bullfinch, dipper, goldfinch, heron, kingfisher, tawny owl, house and sand martins. Pied, grey and yellow wagtails, willow warbler, spotted flycatcher, blackcap, tree sparrow, song thrush and reed bunting.
Also look out for: Goosander on Colne Water; flowering rush; mare's-tail and water-soldier in the pond.
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LOOK OUT FOR |
BEST TIME TO SEE |
NOTES & ANY SPECIAL STATUS |
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Wayfaring Tree |
In flower: May-June Fruit: August-October |
A native shrub to southern & central England . A member of the Honeysuckle family |
|
Common Sandpiper |
April-July, on the banks of Colne Water |
Like the wagtails, this bird bobs its tail up & down |
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Marsh Woundwort |
July-September |
A member of the dead-nettle family. Grows in damp places. Has pinky-purple flowers |
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Goldcrest |
All year. Its call is a high-pitched "see-see-see" |
The UK 's smallest bird. It has a gold streak on its head. |