How to get there

• Click here for Ordnance Survey map
• The site lies south of the junction between the A616 and the A628. There is a good sized public car park offering visitor centre, picnic tables and toilets, with a nearby café and the Grade I listed Waggon & Horses pub which has been run by the same family for 36 years.
• The site can be found on the Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 110.

Overview

Located at the northern edge of the SBSG recording area and on the edge of the Peak District National Park, the Langsett area offers an excellent array of habitats for wildlife enthusiasts. As well as the obvious open water feature, the 3 mile walk around the reservoir takes you through attractive mixed woodland, along the edges of surrounding moorland and by damp farmland fringes. Parts of the walk are on well-managed pathways whilst other retains historical, but less foot-friendly, sections.

The reservoir was constructed between 1889 and 1905 to help satisfy the water requirements of the rapidly expanding population of Sheffield in the industrial era. Many farms were abandoned to facilitate this, including the North America Farm whose famous ruins remain an historical feature of the area.

Fed by the Little Don or Porter River, it is around a mile long and covers 51 hectares. Yorkshire Water own and manage the reservoir and most of the immediate vicinity. In 1962, conifers were planted to stabilise the banks around the reservoir, and commercial felling is undertaken periodically to produce timber.

Midhope Reservoir and Moors are located to the south-west of Langsett, and is a much more secluded area predominantly surrounded by Yorkshire Water owned woodland. There are few visitor amenities and the woods have little access so it is often a case of finding a safe place to park followed by a scan across the open water.

Likely species - Langsett

The reservoir itself can be quiet bird-wise with autumn and winter affording the best opportunities to see Teal, Goosander, Wigeon and Gadwall. It is worth checking the treatment work pools below the dam wall which can attract the odd Goldeneye. Common Sandpiper have bred and are fairly regular in the summer, and there is always a chance of encountering Oystercatcher and Redshank.

A spectacular gull roost can occasionally form in winter evenings, sometimes comprising of thousands of Black-headed Gulls. As well as the more common resident gull species, Yellow-legged, Caspian and Mediterranean Gull have also been recorded.

The surrounding woodlands are rich in bird life and hold specialities all year round. Siskin, Bullfinch and Crossbill are resident, the latter of which can be seen in good numbers in certain years and, once located, offer excellent views as they feed - hanging like acrobats in the tree tops. They need to keep a wary eye for hunting Sparrowhawks though.

There are resident Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay and Goldcrest and most of our commoner woodland species such as Chaffinch, Great and Blue Tits. Coal Tits can be seen in excellent numbers, especially post-breeding, and Long-tailed Tits form large roving parties in winter.

In summer, parts of the woodland hold the enigmatic Spotted Flycatcher and Common Redstart although they do have to be searched for. Warblers abound with a crescendo of song from Willow and Garden Warblers as well as Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Roe Deer can also be briefly encountered before they slip away from sight. The odd Tree Pipit breeds in the open areas within the woods, singing from prominent perches on exposed branches.

The farmland / moorland fringe holds displaying Snipe in the breeding season when as many as 6 can be seen in the air at one time. A scan across the network of dry-stone walls normally produces a Snipe standing guard. Lapwing, Curlew and Skylark all hold territories along with good numbers of Meadow Pipits and Starlings. In winter, large parties of Fieldfare and Redwing forage for food, and groups of Redpolls form and become more conspicuous.

Langsett Moors are managed for grouse shooting so Red Grouse are prominent. A scan along the skyline can produce skeins of Pink Footed Geese passing over in winter and there is always a chance of encountering several species of raptor, although Kestrel and Common Buzzard can only be described as regular. Ravens and Stonechat make sporadic appearances, and in summer Linnets hold territories and Cuckoo can still be seen annually.

Likely species - Midhope

The best viewpoint is on Low Moor Road which borders the reservoir and Midhope Moor. Vegetation encroaches right to the waters edge and provides suitable habitat for breeding Little Grebe most years. Good numbers of Teal hide away in winter before courtship displays begin in the early months – although breeding is unproven.

There is a good chance of seeing Goosander and Goldeneye in winter as well as Gadwall, Wigeon and Tufted Ducks. Greylag Geese (of unknown origin) and Canada Geese frequent the area between this and the other reservoirs in the region, and there is always the chance of a feeding Cormorant being seen.

The small beck that originates from Low Moor and feeds the reservoir attracts Grey Wagtail and the surrounding bushes are a great place to see Goldcrest, Lesser Redpoll and Bullfinch, especially in winter. Crossbill and Siskin fly overhead and a high density of Willow Warblers sing in the summer.

Scans across the treetops are worthwhile and can produce Sparrowhawk and Common Buzzard whilst this is an excellent spot for seeing a hunting Hobby in the summer. Marsh Harrier, Red Kite and Osprey have all been seen here whilst on passage through the region and a good population of Kestrel exists.

The woodland/moorland edge can produce a flushed Woodcock and Cuckoos can perch on the bordering fence posts in summer. Linnet, Meadow Pipit and Red Grouse all breed in good numbers on the managed moorland and family parties of Stonechat can appear at any time.

David Woodriff