Short birdwatching visit · Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Barlow Common Nature Reserve
- Tier
- Local green space
- Best season
- March–September recommended; spring pond birds and summer woodpecker interest
- Headline birds
- Grey Heron · Kingfisher · Reed Bunting
- Parking
- Parking is available at the main reserve entrance.
- Hides
- Not stated by the operator
- Step-free
- The operator describes disabled access from Barlow Common Road; a complete step-free circuit is not specified.
Barlow, south of Selby
Barlow Common combines pond watching with woodland and grassland trails on a former industrial tip near Selby. The Trust’s spring bird selection names Grey Heron, Kingfisher and Reed Bunting; Green Woodpecker adds interest around the grassland in summer. A marked wildlife trail passes oak and birch woodland, with carved waymarkers linking different habitats. This is a varied reserve walk rather than a hide circuit. Begin at the main entrance and allow for muddy unsurfaced paths after wet weather. The visitor centre and toilets are permanently closed, so plan any facility stop elsewhere.
Birds and seasons
- Grey Heron · Headline bird — Spring Source for Grey Heron
- Kingfisher · Headline bird — Spring Source for Kingfisher
- Reed Bunting · Headline bird — Spring Source for Reed Bunting
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Paths
- Unsurfaced paths and some boardwalks connect woodland, ponds and grassland; paths can be muddy in winter.
- Toilets
- The toilets and visitor centre are permanently closed.
- Parking
- Parking is available at the main reserve entrance.
- Dogs
- Dogs must remain on leads.
- Access notes
- The operator describes disabled access from Barlow Common Road; a complete step-free circuit is not specified.
- Step-free access
- The operator describes disabled access from Barlow Common Road; a complete step-free circuit is not specified.
Getting there: From the A1041 Selby–Snaith road take the southern turning for Barlow, then the reserve road on the left. A bus stop is described about 50 metres from the entrance; check the actual service.
Sources
Social preview: original typographic artwork by Does Your Duck Quack.
Nearby special trips
- Wheldrake Ings Nature Reserve · 10.6 straight-line miles
- North Cave Wetlands · 15.9 straight-line miles
- Alkborough Flats · 16.1 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB Fairburn Ings, 11.3 miles away in a straight line.
- Wheldrake Ings Nature Reserve · 10.6 miles in a straight line
- Askham Bog Nature Reserve · 12.6 miles in a straight line
- Ledston Luck Nature Reserve · 12.7 miles in a straight line