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Location The reserve is on the boundary of Burnley and Pendle districts in East Lancashire, 3 miles to the south-east of Nelson and 2 miles south of Trawden. A minor road runs between the Upper and Lower Reservoirs. There are car-parking facilities at the Coldwell Activity Centre about 800 yards from the footpath entrance, with café and toilets during opening hours. |
Access There is no public access onto the reserve but a track that forms part of the Pendle Way leaves the road and gives good views across the reservoir to the right. Status This nine-hectare reserve is managed by the Trust under an agreement with United Utilities plc (formerly North West Water Ltd) and is a Wildlife Site (Lancashire Biological Heritage Site), of importance for its birds and base-rich flushes and grassland habitats. |
Upper Coldwell Reservoir
Nearest town: Nelson and Burnley
Grid reference: SD 905360, Landranger 103; Explorer OL21
Upper Coldwell Reservoir enjoys a more remote, exposed situation than any other of the Trust's reserves. It is located on the edge of the South Pennines, which are designated as a Special Protection Area and candidate Special Area for Conservation due to their international importance for upland bird populations and upland habitat types. The land rises towards Boulsworth Hill and the area was an important local source for limestone during the seventeenth century, with evidence of these workings still present at the southern side of the reservoir. Although very little limestone remains (in the boulder clay) a number of plant species associated with calcareous soils can still be found in some of the flushes. These include quaking-grass, fragrant orchid, grass-of-Parnassus and fairy flax. Common butterwort, despite its name, is locally scarce and can also be found growing on the reserve. The reserve supports a variety of insects including a small colony of common blue butterflies.
The reserve was one of the first reservoirs in East Lancashire to be colonised by tufted duck and that species still breeds on the reserve as does mallard and, occasionally, teal. Owls can be seen most evenings hunting over the reserve and surrounding area, especially in years when voles are numerous.
