Laneshaw Bridge (Colne) to Haworth

We decided on a fair old trek today  - Laneshaw Bridge (Colne) to Haworth (a section of the Bronte Way long distance walk).

The weather was mostly dull with the odd sunny period early on.

We parked the car at Haworth and caught the 9:30 bus to Keighley bus station  followed by the 10:15 bus towards Burnley, alighting at The Emmet Arms Laneshaw Bridge. On the bus journey we spotted a Grey Heron perched on a dry stone wall.

10:50 Laneshaw Bridge:

The walk takes the road opposite the pub for a few yards before turning right onto WycollerLane. Here there was a Pied Wagtail. Soon we turned left to follow Wycoller beck. The next few miles were a delight  with beautiful countryside. 3 Curlew were in the fields with many a Lapwing and further along a further 4 Curlew and a Common Snipe took to the air. There was also 5 Large Waders airborne, but I could not ID them.

The path follows Wycoller Beck for a couple of miles to arrive at Wycoller.

On the way we spotted 2 Mistle Thrush, a Green Woodpecker was calling and a Song Thrush was in good voice. A Grey Wagtail was near the water as we approached the buildings at Wycoller.

11:30 Wycoller. 

We followed the beck south(ish) and arrived at a 4 way signpost, here we took the second option and followed a concrete farm road uphill. At the farm the path turns left through the buildings to exit via a metal gate. The path rises, as a farm track, towards a wall corner before rising again and passing through a wall to arrive at a track signposted Pendal Way and Pennine Bridleway. Here we turn left.

On this section there were c30 Woodpigeon, 4 Curlew and a Pied Wagtail with 6 Lapwings floating about. There were Red Grouse calling from the moor, c60 Starlings and another call, which I think may have been from a Snipe.

A good track is met that takes us downhill.

12:30. We had our lunch and a breather before starting the long trek towards Watersheddles Reservoir.

The path eventually nears the main road, here we turn right through a kissing gate and follow a lovely path across very barren moor land.

13:00. The path crosses into the environs of Watersheddles Res. via a wall stile and follows the wall to the end of the res.

There were 5 Oystercatcher near the water, a few Mallard. Red Grouse were calling from the moor.

13:20. At the end of Watersheddles we turn right steeply downhill to follow a stream. Here again Red Grouse were calling, then 2 small birds flew over, very quickly, which I think were Partridge. The reason for their quick departure became apparent when Sue spotted a Buzzard like bird (We immediately though Buzzard when we say the bird but I am not sure from the photos if this is a Buzzard or a Raven) being mobbed by two Lapwing. The Buzzard left the area and the 2 Partridge, seen earlier, flew back the way they had come. They had a ‘flap & glide’ flight and were too small to be Red Grouse.

A Song Thrush could be heard singing here and the song could be heard for some time.

13:45. We were now opposite Scar Top furniture shop and the path takes a nasty right turn to climb very steeply up hill. It would appear from the improvised footpath sign that a few walkers might have missed this turn in the past.

2 Greylag Goose flew over > NE .One started honking and deciding to turn back and landed near Ponden the second continued on it’s way.

The path runs between walls to arrive at a farm. Here we turned right steeply downhill to cross a small stream via a plank bridge. Here we turned left and crossed a ladder stile seen ahead to enter an enclosed way.

14:20. We arrived at Ponden where there were 11 Greylag and 6 Canada Geese in the fields with Oystercatcher calling. Also near the Res. 2 Muscovy Duck and 3 Moorhen with LTT in the trees.

When we neared the end of the res ‘promenade’ our path turns right at a 3 way sign to follow the Pennine Way/ Bronte Way. We followed an enclosed way and turned right uphill towards a white farmhouse seen ahead. There were Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Curlew in this area.

At the top of the hill we turned left on a good track to Buckley Green. At Buckley Green another right turn is quickly followed by a left turn uphill on a path (by now) a gruelling uphill pull. The path reaches a 4 way signpost where we go straight ahead (leaving the Pennine way) to cross a few fields before dropping down to Bronte Waterfalls.

This section was interesting with a Pr. Red Grouse seen about 5yds away and a large muddy pool held 8 or so very noisy toads (I think toads). 2 Mistle Thrush were on a wall while another  3 flew into a nearby tree.

15:15 We crossed Bronte Waterfall at turned left to follow the stream for a short time. After quite a slog the path eventually reached the road above Lower Laithe Res.

15:45 Lower Laith area. There were a few small gulls on the Res and Oystercatchers were calling.

A bit further on there was a flock of more than 100 birds (Starlings & Fieldfare)  with at least 50 Fieldfare among the flock.

We followed Cemetery Road into Haworth arriving at 16:15.

We called in the Kings Head for tea before heading home.

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