ALTHOUGH this walk is not actually in Cumbria, I have included it for a reason. The Stocks Reservoir area is the breeding ground for the rare hen harrier.

I hope that the successful breeding there of this splendidly spectacular bird of prey will result in its spread into the Lake District.

From Kendal, follow the A65 to Long Preston and turn right onto the B6478. Pass through Wigglesworth and Tosside before approaching Slaidburn.

Turn right onto a minor road, through Gisburn Forest, with Stocks Reservoir on the left. Pass Dale Head Church and along School Lane. The extensive car park is on the left.

Stocks Reservoir was completed in 1932 and is one of the largest in the north of England. It has a maximum depth of 100 feet (32 metres) and has a capacity of 3,059 million gallons (12 billion litres) but despite this, there was a shortage of water in the summer of 2010!

During the 1960s, the Forestry Commission planted an extensive conifer plantation, named Gisburn Forest, and some trees are now ready for felling. The plan is to replace them with hardwoods.

Map reference: OS Sheet 103, or OL 41.

Grid reference 735552.

Where to eat: there is the Plough Inn at Wigglesworth and, on occasions, a cafe is open at Stop 6 on the walk. There are plenty of places to picnic along the route.

Route

1 From the car park, follow the obvious track, around which are information boards describing the history of the reservoir, and that of the village, which was flooded to create it.

It was built to provide drinking water for the Fylde coast. There is another board indicating three more walks which are colour-coded according to difficulty, offering a variety of different routes.

2 My walk ignores these trails and passes a picnic site to the left. From this point, there are panoramic views over the reservoir and the moorland.

Yet another noticeboard illustrates the work of the Bowland Initiative, which is a joint venture by the water company United Utilities and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

This involves managing the whole area for the benefit of wildlife, including the forest, the heather moors and the reservoir. Here is the chance to see the aerobatics of the graceful hen harrier.

3 Continue along the obvious track and divert for a short distance to the left, to reach a substantial bird hide. Here is a notebook in which visitors can record their sightings.

Return to the track and ascend gently to Birch Hill. This, as its name implies, is an area dominated by silver and common birch trees, and a real contrast to the conifer forest. There was once a sheep farm here, but only a few stones remain today.

4 Approach Lock Bridge, which spans Hasgill Beck, cross the bridge and follow the old trackway which once linked Birch Hill Farm with other farms at Hasgill and New House.

Both are now derelict but the land is still farmed for sheep.

5 Bear left to reach a footbridge over the River Hodder as it flows towards its confluence with Stocks Reservoir. Look out for the ruins of Collyholme Farm. Here, too, is evidence of the old railway track which was once vital to supply raw materials for the construction of the reservoir. The route follows the old trackway, but only a remnant is now recognisable.

6 The track passes Hollins (meaning Holly) to reach the fishing lodge. Permits to fish here can be obtained during the season and a pleasant little cafe and picnic site is sometimes open.

7 Approach the Stocks Board office. This is an impressive building which is now the United Utilities Bowland Estate Office. Although this building is Tudor in style, it was only built at the time of the reservoir construction.

8 The Stocks Reservoir dam is now reached. Enjoy the sight and sound of the massive overflow which feeds a supply of water to the River Hodder. At the end of the dam, cross a stile and join yet another section of the old railway line.

Follow this to reach a woodland area, in which breed the green woodpecker, jay and sparrowhawk.

A short diversion here leads to the lovely little church of St James, also know as Dale Head Church. This is usually open and inside is a graphic account of the flooding of the village.

The present church is a reconstruction of the original religious focus in the village.

9 Pass through another stile, keep left and cross the causeway between the main reservoir and a pond. Cross another stile and return to the car park.

NB: Restrictions on space mean that this article provides a general summary of the route. It is advisable for anyone who plans to follow the walk to take a copy of the relevant Ordnance Survey map.