Leeds-Liverpool Canal Walk: Exploring New Footpaths Near Leigh
Evening Walk Along the Leeds Liverpool Canal
My Field Notes
From Plank Lane lift bridge we wandered towards Dover Lock, eventually finding the narrow footpath that threads between the two reserves — Lightshaw Meadows opening out to the right, Abram NR tucked quietly to the left. It’s a lovely stretch, the kind of place where you naturally slow down without even meaning to.
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| Lightshaw Meadows |
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| View towards Abram NR |
If you are planning a trip to try and get to Abram NR & lightshaw meadows we couldn’t reach the larger lake from the canal side; the summer growth has closed in and the views are mostly hidden now. It’ll probably be easier in winter when the leaves fall back and the landscape opens up again. But that didn’t take anything away from the walk. If anything, it encouraged us to pay attention to the smaller things — the sounds, the movement in the reeds, the way the light shifted across the water in the evening light.
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| Map showing Lightshaw Meadows and Abram NR with footpaths |
And it was far from quiet. Birds and other wildlife kept us company the whole way along the canal, the Kestrels hovering above the fields, Kingfisher busily flying over the water to precisely enter the trees and bushes back to its nest and a mink scurrying along the opposite towpath each encounter a small reminder to pause, and watch nature at its finest.
Kestrel x2
Ring-necked Pheasant x2
Kingfisher
Mallard
Grey Heron
Wood Pigeon
Magpie
Chiffchaff
Goldfinch
Wren
Blackcap
Collard Dove
Swift 3+
Barn Swallow 5+
American Pekin Duck
Great Tit
Dunnock
Song Thrush
Carrion Crow
Blackbird
We also saw a very large carp swimming along the surface of the canal and a Mink.
Next time we will try the path from Byrom Wood to see if that takes us there.
Enjoy your birding and thanks for reading.
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