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Nature Reserve Gallery
Crossbank Nature Reserve at the back of the inn is a unique Hotel amenity giving wildlife lovers the chance to indulge in a spot of bird watching, wildlife photography or just the quiet contemplation of nature. Begun as a simple hobby at the end of the eighties, and now over twenty years on, we have created a well established wildlife haven for a great variety of plants and animals.
Over eighty species of bird have been identified so far within or around the nature reserve. Permanent residents include a good variety of the more common waterfowl - plus occasional sightings of gadwall, shoveler, goosander and even the occasional pintail. Over the water you might glimpse the electric blue flash of the kingfisher, or of you are very lucky a perching bird, intently watching the water below. Snipe may be heard and, with patience, seen at the reeds edges as can the heron, whilst other more visually obliging waders include lapwing, redshank, oystercatcher, common sandpiper and curlew. In the trees and shrubs you will see and hear sedge and willow warbler, reed bunting, redpoll, siskin, spotted flycatchers, redstarts and many more common finches, chats and thrushes.
Land and water based animals in and around the reserve have included common frogs, toads and newts, roe deer, stoats, foxes and badgers. But by far and away our most exclusive, and most elusive, visitor has to be the otter, seen by just a fortunate few during these latter years. My only sighting was of two otters at five thirty one misty summers morning - so you'll have to rise early if you are going to be one of the lucky ones.
Crossbank Nature Reserve is situated to the rear of the Fat Lamb Hotel and is open to the general public. There is an area of land with open access and a purpose built hide giving a good overall view of the site, plus footpaths leading down to viewing points within the reserve itself. All are welcome to come and enjoy a glimpse of nature in this beautiful setting; there is no charge made nor any obligation to partake of the hotel facilities, although of course food and drink is available throughout the day should you require refreshment, and we would be very happy to cater for you.
I would just like to say that the 9 of us from The Austin Healey Club, Yorkshire thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at The Fat Lamb and were looked after very well by all the staff who had contact with us.
We enjoyed what was a lovely drive and excellent hospitality.
Best regards,
Jeff Hollinshead
AH Club Northern Centre Membership Secretary and Yorkshire Organiser
Thank you for the friendly welcome and great service we received last Sunday.
We had completed a long and very wet walk in Bowderdale and turned up at the pub hoping for refreshments. We were very well received and the hot tea and scones were just what we needed.
Regards,
Elaine
Thank you so much for looking after us at The Fat Lamb on Saturday. The soup and sandwiches were delicious.
Everybody loved the pub. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of return visits from our Members.
I look forward to returning sometime in the future.
Kindest Regards
Joanna
Thank you for yesterday and looking after 34 of us so well and expediently. Everyone commented on the lovely meals and service and accommodating us so well.
Thank you.
We will return next year of course.
Thanks again and well done for keeping up good standards and a friendly atmosphere and surroundings.
It all contributes to an enjoyable and rewarding day out.
Best regards,
Richard
On behalf of the Lakeland Historic Car Club
We just wanted to thank you all for our wonderful stay at your beautiful Inn.
Everything was perfect from the moment we we made the booking through to the warm welcome we received from James and all your hard working staff.
Dinner and breakfast were delicious and we look forward to our next stay which we hope might be soon.
With kindest regards and again thank you,
Mike and Angie.
On behalf of the South Yorkshire Natter of the MG Car Club I thank you, Angela, Andrew and all the staff for another great stay at the Fat Lamb last week.
Everyone enjoyed it and we look forward to seeing you again next time.
Geoff
On behalf of
MG Car Club South Yorkshire Natter 2024
