YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARK
Combine birding with a bit of culture!
Set amid the 500-acre Bretton Hall Estate, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park contains extensive walking trails that combine art and nature. Sculptures by renowned artists including Henry Moore, Damien Hirst and Barbara Hepworth are displayed in rolling pastures and ancient woodland grazed by sheep and Highland Cattle, perched on by roosting birds, with some used as nesting boxes. There are two lakes fed by the River Dearne, that also flows through the park. This rich and varied environment is home to woodland species, waterfowl, owls and hawks. WHERE TO WATCH
1
Park at the main YSP Centre and make your way through the entrance, past the shop and down the outside staircase towards the Underground Gallery. Turn left at the foot of the stairs to visit the Formal Terrace and Gardens, where you will see Treecreeper, Goldcrest and other woodland species. On exiting the gardens, walk past the Hepworth Family of Man towards the Learning Centre/Café, and continue right past the café to follow a path through the Hidden Forest towards the Lower Park and the lakes. The bird house exhibits in the Hidden Forest are regularly used by nesting woodland species.
2
North of Cascade Bridge, go through the gate and follow the trail westward through a wooded area alongside the River Dearne. Kingfisher and Mallard frequent the water and you’ll hear a chorus of woodland species including Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tawny Owl and Nuthatch in the trees. The woods here are covered in snowdrops, daffodils and bluebell in spring. Cross two bridges and pass through a marshy area as you round the far western side of the Upper Lake. Along the southern edge of the lake, look for steps down to the rustic bird hide, from where you can get good views of Grey Heron and Cormorant fishing.
Continue along the path beside the water’s edge to see a variety of diving ducks, Mute Swan, plus Little and Great Crested Grebe.
3
Cross Cascade Bridge with views of Lower and Upper Lake. Look out for Grey Wagtail on the overflow. Enter via the gate on the right to follow the pathway along the north edge of Lower Lake. Here you will find several benches with good views across the water of Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebe, Mute Swan and visiting waterfowl including Pochard, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck, Great Egret. In spring, the bench opposite the island offers good views of Grey Heron tending to their nests and chicks, and of Cormorant fishing in the shallows, alongside Moorhen and Coot.
4
Walk along the dam edge at the far eastern side of the lake and look out for Little Egret and Teal in the overflow and river below. Follow the pathway westward through the woods (no dogs are allowed in this section as Highland Cattle graze here). The surrounding trees are busy with Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay, Wren and Robin. Look out also for Goldcrest, Longtail Tit and Coal Tit.