Short birdwatching visit · Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Adel Dam Nature Reserve
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- March–May and August–October; winter birds also listed
- Headline birds
- Goosander · Kingfisher · Water Rail
- Parking
- Use the charged main Golden Acre car park on Otley Road.
- Hides
- Two hides and a viewing screen serve the lake and woodland feeding areas.
- Step-free
- The path to Marsh Hide suits standard wheelchairs and pushchairs; confirm current gate arrangements.
Beside Golden Acre Park, Leeds
Adel Dam is a dedicated woodland-and-wetland reserve beside Golden Acre Park, with hides overlooking the lake and feeding areas. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust names Kingfisher and Goosander in winter, alongside Water Rail and Great Spotted Woodpecker among its wider bird interest. Visitors can take a short return walk to the hides or follow the longer circular path. The route to Marsh Hide is the more accessible option; other sections are uneven and boggy ground makes keeping to paths important. Watercourse restoration can temporarily disrupt access, so check current notices and the chosen hide approach before travelling.
Birds and seasons
- Goosander · Headline bird — Winter Source for Goosander
- Kingfisher · Headline bird — Winter Source for Kingfisher
- Water Rail · Headline bird — Season not stated Source for Water Rail
- Great Spotted Woodpecker — Season not stated Source for Great Spotted Woodpecker
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Two hides and a viewing screen serve the lake and woodland feeding areas.
- Paths
- A circular route is about one mile, with a shorter return route to the hides.
- Toilets
- Toilets and a café are in neighbouring Golden Acre Park.
- Parking
- Use the charged main Golden Acre car park on Otley Road.
- Dogs
- No dogs permitted.
- Access notes
- The path to Marsh Hide suits standard wheelchairs and pushchairs; confirm current gate arrangements.
- Step-free access
- The path to Marsh Hide suits standard wheelchairs and pushchairs; confirm current gate arrangements.
Getting there: From Golden Acre car park use the underpass into the park, then follow the operator directions via the Meanwood Valley Trail and bridleway to the reserve gate. Buses from Leeds and Otley stop at Golden Acre Park. Follow current restoration-work diversions.
Sources
Social preview: original typographic artwork by Does Your Duck Quack.
Nearby special trips
- Ripon City Wetlands · 18.2 straight-line miles
- Wheldrake Ings Nature Reserve · 26.3 straight-line miles
- Dearne Valley - Bolton Ings · 26.4 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB St Aidan's, 11.2 miles away in a straight line.
- Hetchell Wood Nature Reserve · 6.7 miles in a straight line
- Ledston Luck Nature Reserve · 11.7 miles in a straight line
- Staveley Nature Reserve · 14.7 miles in a straight line