How to get there
OverviewCatcliffe Flash (site map) owes its existence to former deep coalmines whose coal seams next to the River Rother collapsed, causing the shafts to be flooded. From the 1950s to the mid 1970s the water level was relatively low and the site became well known for its passage waders. Since the mid 1970s higher water levels have favoured wildfowl. In 1976, following threats for the site to become a landfill, it was purchased by the then South Yorkshire County Council, with ownership passing to Rotherham Borough Council in 1986.
In 1992 it was declared a Local Nature Reserve. Willows and Greater Reedmace
surround the Flash with a large area of dry willow carr at the northwest end and
wet willow carr at the southern end. There is a path around the riverside of the
reserve, but people using this path often disturb the roosting birds, so the
Flash is best viewed from the lay-by. Some habitat management work has taken
place at the southern end in the past to clear channels, but the reserve has now
been neglected for several years.
Facilities
There is an information sign in the lay-by, and there are shops and pubs in
Catcliffe. Likely speciesThrough winter most birds use the reserve as a roost during the day or evening and feed elsewhere in the area. Historically known for large numbers of Pochard and Tufted Duck, since the 1990s there has been a shift towards dabbling ducks such as Wigeon, Gadwall and Shoveler. In years when Canadian Pondweed is abundant these dabbling ducks can be joined by numbers of Coot in excess of two hundred. Teal and Goosander are also present through winter, with the odd Goldeneye. Some of the rarer local ducks that have put in appearances over the years include Pintail, Ring-necked Duck, Red-crested Pochard, Scaup and Long-tailed Duck. A Little Egret put in a short appearance in 2006.
In the days before Global Warming, when we had long, hot, dry summers, some mud was exposed for passage waders. However, most years, Common and Green Sandpiper, which will perch on low branches, are the only waders that can be expected. Water Rails can occasionally be found by careful searching if there is a little mud, or when the Flash is frozen.
Breeding birds include Great Crested Grebe (rarely in the 2000s) and Little Grebe, Mute Swan, most of the commoner ducks, Coot and Moorhen. Most common songbirds breed in the willow carr areas along with a few Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Reed Bunting. The Willow Tit was once fairly common in the breeding season, but these days is only an occasional visitor, despite lots of suitable habitat. Kingfisher and Sand Martin breed near the Flash and are often present. In the early 1980s Black-necked Grebe bred for three consecutive years, and odd ones have put in short appearances since.
Other birds that use the reserve for roosting during the day include reasonable numbers of Grey Heron and Cormorant. Over a hundred Stock Dove used to roost on winter evenings along with thousands of Starling, but these are rare occurrences these days. Wood Pigeon and Magpie still use the site as an evening roost.
Black-headed Gulls occur in good numbers, and small numbers of other species are most likely when the Flash is frozen, but Mediterranean Gull is the only rarer gull to put in an appearance in recent times. Common Tern used to breed on a raft in the 1990s, but they are only occasional visitors these days.
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