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Description
In an industrial and populated area, Skelton Lake is a small oasis of woodland scrub and carr, and a large open water lake just north of the River Aire and Aire and Calder Navigation canal. Lots of birds to see all year round, including Fiskehejre and Silkehejre. There used to be a landfill site located to the east of the lake, and in winter both Gråmåge and Hvidvinget Måge were worth looking out for on the plateau or bathing in the lake, but these are rare now.
The surrounding woodland supports breeding Stor Flagspætte and Grønspætte as well as the occasional Fyrremejse but the latter is now vary scarce in the wider area. The Lake has recorded all Grebes recorded in the UK - Tyknæbbet Lappedykker Sorthalset Lappedykker Gråstrubet Lappedykker Nordisk Lappedykker Toppet Lappedykker and Lille Lappedykker but only the latter two are a regular.
Now that the Skelton Lake Service Station is open on the M1, there is a safe and secure place to park, and there is good access from there down to the lake. Certainly worth having a look if passing that area.
Details
Access
Parking is at Leeds Skelton Lake service station at junction 45 of the M1 motorway. It is free for 2 hours. Click on the P in the map for directions.