Eccup Reservoir facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Eccup Reservoir |
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Eccup Reservoir at sunset
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 Eccup Reservoir
Location in Leeds
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| Location | Alwoodley, Leeds, West Yorkshire |
| Coordinates | 53°52′08″N 1°32′36″W / 53.86889°N 1.54333°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Managing agency | Yorkshire Water |
| Designation | SSSI |
| Surface area | 91 ha (220 acres) |
Eccup Reservoir is a large reservoir located in Alwoodley, a part of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It's close to the village of Eccup. This reservoir was first built in 1843. It was made even bigger in 1897 to reach its current size.
Eccup Reservoir covers about 91 hectares (220 acres), which makes it the biggest area of water in West Yorkshire. It gets its water from smaller reservoirs and from the River Ouse. Yorkshire Water owns and manages this important reservoir.
Contents
A Special Place for Nature
Eccup Reservoir and the woods around it are very special. They are known as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means they are protected because of their unique plants, animals, or geology.
Wonderful Wetland Plants
The western side of the reservoir has lots of different plants. You can find plants like shore-weed and amphibious bistort growing near the water. There are also different types of sedges, which are grass-like plants. Taller plants like bulrush and common spike-rush also grow here. One type of sedge, called bladder sedge, is quite rare in the area.
Home to Amazing Birds
Eccup Reservoir is a fantastic spot for birds. Many different kinds of wading birds and waterfowl visit here. Some birds stop during their long migrations, while others stay for the winter.
Migrating and Wintering Birds
One of the most important birds that visits is the goosander. A large number of goosanders, up to 2% of all those in Britain, spend their winters here. Other birds you might see include wigeon, teal, pochard, shelduck, and shoveler. You might also spot ruddy ducks, goldeneyes, and greylag gooses. Smaller birds like dunlins and green sandpipers also come to visit.
Year-Round Residents
Some birds live at Eccup Reservoir all year long. These include the familiar mallard and tufted duck. You can also see curlews, redshanks, and common sandpipers throughout the year.
Fun Activities at the Reservoir
Eccup Reservoir is a popular place for people to enjoy the outdoors. It's a great spot for walking and exploring.
Geocaching Adventures
If you like treasure hunts, you'll love Eccup Reservoir! There are 25 geocaches hidden around the area. Geocaching is a fun way to explore using GPS to find hidden containers.
Enjoy a Scenic Walk
Many people enjoy walking around the reservoir. There's a circular path that goes all the way around. This walk is about 5 mi (8 km) long. It's a perfect way to see the beautiful scenery and spot some wildlife.
