Short birdwatching visit · Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Askham Bog Nature Reserve
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- June–September recommended by the Trust; woodland bird months unspecified
- Headline birds
- Willow Tit · Woodcock · Hobby
- Parking
- Entrance parking is compacted gravel and has no designated disabled bays.
- Hides
- Not stated by the operator
- Step-free
- The loop suits most wheelchairs and pushchairs; the approach slopes and wet boardwalk can be slippery or uneven.
Off the A1036 at the south-western edge of York
Askham Bog brings ancient peatland and woodland birdwatching to the edge of York. Nuthatch, Treecreeper and Jay are among the woodland birds named by the Trust, with winter finches adding a different seasonal interest. A boardwalk loop gives the public way to explore the bog without entering its fragile, uneven ground. The pond has a short there-and-back extension from the circuit. Start at the entrance car park, allowing for the sloping approach to the boardwalk. Dogs must remain on leads and on the boardwalk, and summer grazing cattle may be present.
Birds and seasons
- Willow Tit · Headline bird — Spring highlight in the operator guide Source for Willow Tit
- Woodcock · Headline bird — Winter Source for Woodcock
- Hobby · Headline bird — Summer Source for Hobby
- Nuthatch — Season not stated Source for Nuthatch
- Treecreeper — Season not stated Source for Treecreeper
- Jay — Season not stated Source for Jay
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Paths
- A 750-metre boardwalk circuit has passing places, benches and a short pond extension.
- Toilets
- No toilets on the reserve; accessible facilities are at Askham Bar Park and Ride.
- Parking
- Entrance parking is compacted gravel and has no designated disabled bays.
- Dogs
- On leads, keeping to the boardwalk only.
- Access notes
- The loop suits most wheelchairs and pushchairs; the approach slopes and wet boardwalk can be slippery or uneven.
- Step-free access
- The loop suits most wheelchairs and pushchairs; the approach slopes and wet boardwalk can be slippery or uneven.
Getting there: Use the A1036 turn from the eastbound A64 and the entrance car park after the first traffic lights. Askham Bar Park and Ride has a separate pedestrian/cycle-track approach.
Sources
Social preview: original typographic artwork by Does Your Duck Quack.
Nearby special trips
- Wheldrake Ings Nature Reserve · 7.7 straight-line miles
- Ripon City Wetlands · 20.6 straight-line miles
- North Cave Wetlands · 21.5 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB Fairburn Ings, 14.7 miles away in a straight line.
- Wheldrake Ings Nature Reserve · 7.7 miles in a straight line
- Allerthorpe Common · 11.0 miles in a straight line
- Hetchell Wood Nature Reserve · 12.6 miles in a straight line