Nature Watch, with Ron Freethy

IF YOU enjoy walking and exploring the wonders of wildlife then the Foulridge area is ideal.

It is easy to reach from the rest of East Lancashire and is situated just outside Colne on the road to Skipton.

I have written about the area several times but it is never the same for two days running. In October and November the leaves on the trees look wonderful in their autumn colours.

Foulridge is at the summit of the 1271/4 mile Leeds to Liverpool Canal, which was completed in 1816.

The greatest engineering feat was the tunnel through Foulridge and several locks were built on either side of it.

Each time a lock is operated 75,000 gallons of water are used.

Compensation water had to be provided and reservoirs were created around Barrowford and Foulridge.

I have no doubt that many people objected to the construction of the canal but the reservoirs have certainly been a boon to wildlife. Thousands of birds pass through the upland corridor between Lancashire and Yorkshire each spring and autumn.

When the construction was complete, many wildfowl soon started to remain and breed and their descendants are still present today.

Breeding species include great crested grebe, moorhen, coot, mallard, dabchick, Canada geese, tufted duck and occasionally pochard.

Throughout autumn birds such as wigeon, goosander, whooper swan and goldeneye are regularly seen. Around Foulridge there is a network of footpaths linking the reservoirs and along the canal near the tunnel.

There are lots of hawthorn berries and rosehips in these areas which provide food for fieldfares and redwings.

Both are members of the thrush family, breeding in Scandinavia and Northern Europe and spending the winter with us. Thistles are also common and these attract flocks of goldfinches, while one of the commonest trees locally is the alder which thrives in damp conditions.

Alder seeds are important in the diet of long-tailed tits and siskins.

I have a good friend who is disabled and there are several routes around Foulridge which are ideal for wheelchairs.

Those who are disabled often make the best birdwatchers -mainly, I think, because they have learned to be more patient than the rest of us.

I would be interested to hear from disabled readers who enjoy watching the natural world.

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