It's over thirty years since the Denso Marston nature reserve was created. The Denso Marston company makes radiators and thermal cooling systems, in a large factory adjacent to the River Aire in Baildon. The buffer zone between the factory and the river was turned into a nature reserve in 1991, for the benefit of wildlife and the local community. It's now cared for by a warden and volunteers, the Friends of Denso Marston.
The seven acre site has a large pond, bog areas and woodland, with footpaths running throughout. Benches placed strategically offer quiet spots from which to enjoy the scenery and look for the wildlife. There are periodic working parties to maintain the reserve, guided walks and various events to introduce both children and adults to the variety of species to be found there.
Despite the pond being right beside the back of the factory, it still attracts lots of wildlife. I saw mallards, a grey heron, and a moorhen scuttling across the pond, even though it was mid-afternoon and quite busy with visitors and dogs.
That was a great project for that company to do for the community.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how wildlife will claim even the smallest space when there is water and a few trees around. Between the office buildings where I work, we often see birds of prey circling, so there must be enough other wildlife around for them to make the area interesting. There is a falcon's nest on top of one of the factory buildings, too, which everyone is very proud of.
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