Nature reserves

Menu: Introduction | Jerusalem Farm Camp Site and Wade Wood | Long Wood and Scarr Wood | Ogden Water

Ogden Water is a 60 hectare area of mixed conifer and broad leaf woodland managed by Safer Cleaner Greener's Countryside Team for informal quiet recreation, as well as organised educational activities.

The site is located to the North of Halifax and sign posted from the A629. In addition to the walking routes that run around the reservoir, including a path suitable for wheelchair use, there are a number of public rights of way which run from the site into the surrounding countryside. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a lead and on close control around the reservoir.

Visitor facilities

• Car park
• Toilet facilities
• Classroom facilities, which are available for hire for business meetings, conferences, community meetings etc
• Visitor centre with a small cafe selling hot drinks and refreshments.

Opening hours

The Car Park is locked at dusk, please see signs on the car park entrance for exact times which vary throughout the year

The Cafe and Visitor Centre is open on weekends, bank holidays and throughout the school holidays.

The Toilets are open from 10am - 4pm everyday. (These may be closed in cold weather)

What to see

Birds on the reservoir tend to be restricted to Mallards, however over winter we get occasionally flashes of colour as visitors such as Goldeneyes, Goosanders or Canada Geese drop in. Other water birds that can be seen throughout the year include Kingfishers, Dippers, Herons and Great Crested Grebes.

The woodlands surrounding Ogden Water teem with song birds during April and May including Robins, Chaffinches, Great Tits, Goldfinches, Goldcrests, both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Jays and Bullfinches. Summer brings Swallows, House Martins and Swifts performing dazzling aerobatics over the reservoir surface as they chase food around. During autumn Crossbills are regularly seen on the edge of estate where woodlands and moorlands meet and the night air is disturbed by the hoots and calls of Tawny Owls. Winter brings large numbers of Thrushes, Redwings and Fieldfares to the surrounding fields.

On the open moorland Curlew and Red Grouse can often be seen with occasional sightings of Twites, Wheatears and Merlins Long and Short Eared Owls have also been seen about the area.

People can regularly get close to mammals at Ogden, with Grey Squirrels and rabbits relatively easy to see, however the early visitors might glimpse Roe Deer and Foxes as they walk around the woodlands.

Summertime brings a plethora of insects, from bumblebees to butterflies, moths to (unfortunately) midges and the early evening air filled with hungry bats.

The Ogden woodlands hold a over 30 different types of trees, from towering Firs and Pines, to stunted Oaks, Birches and Sycamores, but look closely and you might find Tulip Trees, Mulberrys and Aspens. Ground flora includes flowers such as Pink Purslane, Common Spotted Orchid and Wood Sorrel to name a few.

Location

• Access
• Disabled Go: Ogden Water|
• Public transport
• Route Planner: Ogden Water|.

Want to get involved?

The cafe is staffed by volunteers on weekends, bank holidays and during the school holidays. There is an active Friends of Ogden Water group that support the site in a variety of ways from running events to doing practical tasks and everything in between. For further information see Friends of Ogden Water|.

There are also monthly practical work parties on site during the week that anyone is welcome to get involved in for more information ring 01422 28 44 17 or email chris.sutcliffe@calderdale.gov.uk.

Many schools make extensive use of Ogden Water as an outdoor classroom and can also be booked for meetings / group use. The Countryside Team also provide a range of environmental workshops based around the National Curriculum. See Environmental education .

Staff and volunteers organise a range of activities for children, young people and not so old adults! These include summer activities such, as well events at Halloween and Christmas. For further information on upcoming events see Friends of Ogden Water|.

Ogden Water currently holds the coveted Green Flag Award| for parks and open spaces.

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