Photograph ŠPete Mella How to get there
Overview
The fast-flowing river Loxley, which runs from Damflask Reservoir to Malin Bridge, is one of the birthplaces of Sheffield industry, and the signs of this past are much in evidence, ranging from 17th Century millponds to factories abandoned in the 1960s. Surrounded by farmland and well-established woodland, the valley has many habitats and much to offer in terms of birdlife. Sadly housing applications loom over the valley, but so far local opposition has stopped any development. A walk up the valley can be extended to Bradfield and beyond, with the reservoirs and moorland fringe extending your species list even further. Likely speciesThe river itself is a good place to find Dipper and Grey Wagtail at almost any point, but the areas around the Fisheries and Stacey Bank are usually most productive for these species. Kingfishers are also present, but are usually less easy to find. Of the old millponds, Old Wheel Dam (also known locally as Wragg’s Pond) is the largest, and usually turns up Mallard, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose, Coot, Moorhen and Grey Heron, and less common species may include Teal, Goldeneye (in winter) and Mute Swan. Snipe can occasionally be found here, and the adjoining farmland can be worth scanning for Little Owl, Meadow Pipit, Bullfinch, Stock Dove and Linnet, and Curlew and Lapwing in summer. This is also a good area for hirundines and Swift during the summer months, and Fieldfare and Redwing in winter.
The woodland in the area is good for all the usual species, including Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Jay, Goldcrest, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Tawny Owl with Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaff and Blackcap present in summer. The paths south of the river are good for further warbler species including Whitethroat and Garden Warbler, and Green Woodpecker are scarce but possible. In winter Siskin and Lesser Redpoll join the usual finches.
The area around Stacey Lane has a sizable Jackdaw colony, and is also one of the few places in the west of the city to still see Tree Sparrows, although this small population seems to be dwindling. Kestrels and Sparrowhawks can also be seen hunting throughout the area.
Extending the walk further can take you to the following areas:
Damflask Reservoir is used quite heavily for recreation, but still houses good numbers of the usual coniferous woodland birds, as well as a breeding colony of Grey Heron. Usual waterfowl can be joined by Cormorants, Great Crested Grebes and, recently, Mandarin, and a small winter gull roost usually contains Black-headed Gull, with occasional rarities such as Little Gull. Firecrest is another scarcity recorded on the site.
Agden Reservoir is a very good site for Spotted Flycatcher in summer, with Pied Flycatcher possible but elusive. The reservoir itself usually turns up Common Sandpiper in summer. An unofficial feeding station at the NW arm of the reservoir will give good close up views of birds including Nuthatch, Coal Tit and Jay, as well as Bank Voles that mop up spilt food on the walls by the bench. A walk up from the Reservoir to the moorland fringe at Agden Side can be very productive, especially in summer when Tree Pipit, Whitethroat, Wheatear and Stonechat are all possible. This area is also a well-used raptor watchpoint, with most common (and some uncommon) species recorded by its regulars, as well as Ravens. Red Grouse, and reintroduced Black Grouse can be found in the area, and Snipe, Lapwing, Curlew and Golden Plover are among the wader species seen here in summer, and Little Owl are fairly easy to see. It is also a good area for visible migration, with possible grounded passage migrants including Yellow Wagtail and Ring Ouzel, and Great Grey Shrikes are very occasional visitors in winter. A walk from here to High Bradfield, through the area known as Agden Rocher, will turn up many of the same species, with Redstart likely, and Pied Flycatcher and Wood Warbler possible, in summer. This is also a great place for entomologists, as many butterfly and dragonfly species can be found, including Black Darters around Rocher Bog.
Pete Mella |
