Overview

Between Horwich in the south and Chorley in the north lies a series of Reservoirs. Anglezarke is the northern most then Yarrow and finally Rivington. To the east of Rivington is Winter Hill and east of this lies a further reservoir , Belmont Reservoir. Finally north of Anglezarke is Anglezarke Moor. This area thus provides a variety of habitats. Moorland, upland streams , wooded valleys and the reservoirs themselves.

Access

Junction 6 of the M61 allows access to the southern end of Horwich. From here travel north through the village before taking to minor roads to explore the reservoirs and surrounding moorland.

Birds

The moors provide suitable habitat for Red Grouse, Merlin, Golden Plover, Curlew, Short Eared Owl, Cuckoo, Stonechat,Whinchat, Wheatear , Linnet and Snow Bunting.

The upland streams can reveal Dipper ( eg streams leading into Belmont reservoir ) Grey Wagtail and lower down Kingfisher.

The wooded valleys hold Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Redstart, Woodcock, Nuthatch, Green Woodpecker and Wood Warbler.

Conifer plantations hold Siskin, lesser Redpoll, and Crossbill.

The reservoirs themselves hold a variety of waders, wildfowl and at times large roosts of gulls. Belmont in particular hold a large colony of Black Headed Gulls in amongst which can be found Meditteranean Gulls.