Siding Lane is west of the A570 Rainford By-pass at SD463020 and is sign-posted. Access on site is via a main central tarmac road and by woodland paths and tracks. There are three access points on to the large picnic area, which is the site for the annual rural craft’s display. It is possible to walk from the site and out into local farmland via public footpaths. Local Ordnance Survey Maps are advisable and the rangers have produced a wide range of leaflets, available from local libraries.

Birds

Though the site is relatively small, a surprising number of species have been seen on or over the area. These include regular common woodland birds such as Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit and Long-tailed Tit, but also the less well-known Lesser Redpoll, Woodcock and Willow Tit. Winter brings up to 3000 Pink-footed Geese that fly over the site regularly as well as occasional Peregrine, Buzzard and Merlin. For more details contact the St Helens Ranger Service.

Moths

Siding Lane is one of the most trapped sites in all of St Helens, away from our own gardens, and has produced some excellent moths, many of which have been recorded nowhere else in St Helens. For a full list, click on the link to the moths of the Rainford Mosslands below.

Below: moth trapping at Siding Lane