Old Moor

[tf1044x]

Old Moor Wetland Centre

This reserve is the latest acquisition by the RSPB in the Dearne Valley (South Yorkshire) The 250-acre site comprises of a Visitors Centre, five viewing hides which look over Reed Fringed Lagoons, Wet Grassland, as well as areas of Open Water with scattered islands, making it a bird watchers delight.
Every season holds something different,
Winter has the spectacle of as many as 7500 Golden Plover, and many wintering Wildfowl; it is one of the few areas where the endangered Tree Sparrow can be viewed regularly.
Spring brings with it the expectancy of passage birds, which sometimes include Osprey and Marsh Harrier; it is also time for the arrival of those Summer Visitors.
Summer there is a large concentration of Black-headed Gulls, along with the wildfowl that stay with us throughout the year; Swallows and Swifts are always visible, while the Reeds and Bushes come alive with Warblers and Buntings.
Autumn is the time when the water levels are low, thus encouraging a variety of passage Waders, which can on occasions, produce something special.

But not only birdwatchers can enjoy this site, during the summer months the ponds and dykes are filled with an array of Damsel and Dragonflies.

Also there are events for all the family throughout the year.

Old Moor is situated near the junction with the A6195 and the A6023 at Broomhill near Barnsley. It is easy to reach from junction 36 of the M1 and junction 37 of the A1 (M).
Map Ref: - SE 424021

Opening times: -1 Nov-31 Jan. 10am-4pm
1 Feb-31 Oct. 10am-5pm

Admission to the Visitors Centre is free
Admission on site is free for RSPB members
Adults £2.50
Children £1.25
Family £5
Concessionary £2

For more information ring 01226 751593

[Doug]

An undervisited RSPB reserve - plenty of fine hides and lovely mixed habitat.

If you are on your way up north on the M1 it is a great place to drop into for an hour but I can spend all day there working the hides

[TimF]

trev

Don't happen to know if the Visitor centre sells bins (like RSPB Fairburn Ings) do you.

Want to try a few upmarket pairs out but I am only free on Sundays.

Thought it would be good to combine with birding trip.

Cheers

Tim

[digi-birder]

Hello Tim,

On behalf of admin and all the moderators, welcome to Bird Forum.

I visit Old Moor quite frequently, living within driving distance, and they do have a small selection of bins and scopes. I think they have Leicas or Nikons, but also the RSPB brand. I know they have Swaro scopes, but I can't remember seeing any bins.

[Doug]

I think it is a good idea to give them a ring in advance - they may be able to get in anything you want to try out - they do have a small stock of the makes described above.

[TimF]

Thanks for your replies - as a beginner to birding its good to be welcomed to the forum

- I will visit Fairburn Ings and Old Moor on Sunday

Cheers

Tim

[Doug]

Hi Tim - I would be interested to know what you see at Fairburn Ings as we are planning a visit in a fortnight

We had a fabulous pair of Long Eared Owls last time we were there and great close views of Bullfinches, and to cap it all, our first Med Gull.

[Doug]

There is a report of an American Golden Plover at Old Moor today!! And I can't get there - fume!!!!

[tf1044x]

That's right Doug, it has been seen quite well for most of the afternoon from the Wath Ings hide. Also Little Stint, Curlew Sand, Black-tailed Godwit, Ruff, Greenshank, Green Sand, Dunlin, Golden Plover, Ringed PLover and Lapwing. Merlin was also seen, along with a Sparrowhawk that would occasionally flush the Goldy Flock, plus a few other things.

Trev

[TimF]

Excellent first time at old moor - quite a busy place on a sunny Sunday but deservedley so - excellent hides and some very helpful birders therein to help with ID for us beginners!

Helps when weather so good - 33 species in under 3 hours can't be bad.

Will be back as soon as time allows

Thanks again

Tim

[tf1044x]

Glad you enjoyed your visit, it's a pity that the Am Goldy wasn't on view. But it sounds as though you had a good time anyway, hope to see you again soon.
Trev

[digi-birder]

Glad you enjoyed your trip to Old Moor, Tim.

Did you get your bins?

[TimF]

Diane

Managed to borrow some leica 8x32 "red" bins for the weekend from Bass & Bligh in Harrogate so was road testing these.

Compared them against the Swaro 8x32 EL bins in Harrogate but they wouldn't let me take em away!

Unfortunately the RSPB shop at the reserve didn't have this model (did have 8.5x42) but I think I am going to buy the Swaro 8x32 - better with my glasses, handled better and that bit lighter to carry around.

Thanks to all

Tim

[digi-birder]

Old Moor now has new dining facilities, which I hear are pretty good, so we might be sampling that on Sunday, as well as looking for a few birds, of course!

[Andrew]

Is that what they were working on, those old stone buildings where we looked for Little Owl.

[digi-birder]

Is that what they were working on, those old stone buildings where we looked for Little Owl.

That's the place, Andrew. The portacabins are all gone, I hear, although work is still going on in other outbuildings.