How to get there

• Click here for Ordnance Survey map. Access to the area is generally via Sandygate Road by leaving the A57 Manchester Road at Crosspool.
• The site can be found on the Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 110
• Public transport: The number 51 bus from Sheffield terminates at the former site of Lodge Moor Hospital. From here, it is necessary to walk the remaining 2-3 miles on foot before reaching the reservoirs.

Photograph Copyright © Richard Hill

Overview

Redmires Reservoirs are situated 6 miles west of Sheffield within the boundary of the Peak District National Park (site map). Designed by the famous Victorian engineer, John Towlerton Leather, this chain of three upland reservoirs was built between 1836 and 1854 to meet Sheffield’s increasing demand for water during the industrial age. Located on the moorland fringe at 1,155 feet above sea level, they are the highest reservoirs in the SBSG recording area, making it ideal for attracting migrants passing through the southern Pennines.

Facilities

The site is owned and operated by Yorkshire Water plc and therefore strictly speaking, a permit is required to access the interior of the site. A concessionary footpath however, allows access around all three reservoirs, although this regularly leads to disturbance from the general public, particularly when the water levels are low. There is a free car park and roadside parking along the Top Reservoir, although it can get rather busy at weekends, particularly during the summer months. There are no catering or toilet facilities at all. Restricted parking is also available by both the Middle Reservoir and along Soughley Lane, where a footpath can be used to view the Bottom Reservoir. 

A hide overlooking the Middle Reservoir was constructed by members of the SBSG in March 1988. Sadly in recent years, this has fallen into disrepair and is therefore probably best avoided.

Likely species

Despite its often bleak appearance, the official Redmires list stands at a relatively impressive 201 species, of which 79 have bred in or around the surrounding area. Historically, Redmires is one of the oldest watched sites in the area with records dating back to the early 1940’s, including such ornithological gems as breeding Montagu’s Harrier, Red-crested Pochard, Velvet Scoter and Red-necked Pharalope.

In recent times, systematic observations since the early 1970’s have rewarded those determined enough to bird through the pain barrier, with local rarities including Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, Little Egret, Bean Goose, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Crane, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Purple Sandpiper, Great Skua, Sabine’s Gull, Little Auk, Hoopoe, Black-throated Thrush and Parrot Crossbill.

Although there is potentially something of interest all year round, the periods March – May and August – November are generally the most productive, although regular visits and often drearily long, patient hours of observation are usually required.

The initial focus of any visit is naturally the reservoirs themselves. These can all be checked from either the footpaths or the road, although a telescope is pretty much essential. Like other upland waters in the area, they are rather acidic, and therefore do not hold a wide variety of regular wildfowl. Mallard and Canada Geese are present in all but the hardest weather. Tufted Duck should also be encountered, although the annual moult flock, which was once such a prominent feature of late summer, has sadly dwindled from its peak of over 170 birds to barely double-figures in recent times. Goldeneye have also declined significantly, although they can still be seen irregularly during the winter months. In contrast, Pink-footed Geese have become an increasingly common sight, particularly during clear days in October – December, as they move eastwards across the area. Teal, Wigeon and Goosander can also be expected to occur during the autumn, when occasional visitors may also include Shelduck, Pintail and Shoveler.

When water levels start to fall and if the right weather conditions prevail, then waders become the major focus of attention. A total of 29 species have been recorded, with the Top Reservoir particularly favoured during both spring and autumn. Apart from the local breeding species which include Lapwing, Curlew, Snipe, Golden Plover and Common Sandpiper, the most frequently recorded species are typically Dunlin and Ringed Plover, with Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Whimbrel, Redshank, Greenshank and Green Sandpiper annual visitors. Scarcer visitors include Grey Plover, Bar and Black-tailed Godwits, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Turnstone.

The reservoir margins also prove attractive to Gulls, with Black-headed and Common the most regularly recorded during the autumn and winter months. Smaller numbers of Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls may also occur and Kittiwake should be looked for after strong westerly gales. A regular roost during August - November often contains several hundred Lesser Black-backed Gulls and closer scrutiny since the late 1970’s have revealed small numbers of Yellow-legged Gulls on an annual basis, with Caspian Gull and Ring-billed Gull also recently added.

With panoramic views of the surrounding open moorland, Redmires is also good for watching passing raptors. Kestrel and Sparrowhawk are seen almost daily and Merlin, Hen Harrier, Peregrine and increasingly Common Buzzards are also seen fairly regularly. Scarcer visitors include Honey Buzzard, Red Kite, Osprey, Marsh Harrier and Hobby. Ravens are also regularly recorded these days.

The conifer plantations surrounding the reservoirs regularly hold Siskin, Crossbill and Lesser Redpoll, while the areas of mixed woodland contain Blackcap, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher. A communal finch roost also forms during the winter months, where up to several hundred Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Brambling can be recorded, along with smaller numbers of other finches and perhaps most notably Waxwing, which have recently started utilising conifer plantations to roost west of the City.

The adjacent moorland fringe should also be explored, with Red Grouse ever present and good numbers of Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting during the breeding season. The adjacent rowan and birch dominated cloughs are also worth checking for Whinchat, Stonechat, Ring Ouzel and Warblers, including less common species such as Grasshopper, Sedge and Garden Warbler as well as Whitethroat.

Finally, no mention of Redmires would be complete without reference to its prime location along one of the major migration routes through the southern Pennines. Although often challenging, the visual spectacle of literally thousands of migrants moving through the site is not to be missed. The blue bridge by the Top Reservoir, along the conduit path to the North of it, and the pull-in by the Middle Reservoir are good starting points to view this annual phenomenon at close quarters.

The ‘visible migration’ season begins as early as July, when the first Sand Martins begin to move back through the area. August sees the steady departure of other summer migrants such as Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Swallow and House Martin. The variety and number of species then begins to gather pace, with late September and early October a truly magical time, dominated by thousands of Meadow Pipits moving southwards, alongside hundreds of Pied Wagtails, Linnets and Goldfinches. This often combines with large westerly movements of Redwing, Chaffinch and Siskin.

Photograph Copyright © Keith Clarkson

Towards the end of October and early November, the skies are usually filled with thousands of Fieldfares, huge waves of Starlings moving westwards, together with massive southerly movements of Woodpigeons. Daily counts in previous years have shown that up to 100,000 birds move through the site every autumn.  As well as passing wildfowl, raptors, waders and gulls, scarcer transients include Rock and Water Pipits, Hawfinch, Lapland and Snow Buntings.

Other points of interest

Other points of interest A total of 19 species of butterfly have been recorded, including Green Hairstreak, Comma, Gatekeeper and vagrant Clouded Yellow. Recent dragonfly records include Black Darter and Broad-bodied Chaser, while Badgers and Water Voles are active in the area and Mountain Hares can sometimes be seen on the nearby moors. Red Deer have also appeared in recent years. A wide variety of plants can also be seen including Common Spotted and Marsh Orchids.

Click here for recent site records.

Nearby sites

These include: Stanage Edge (SK2384-2484) for moorland species including Wheatear and Ring Ouzel, Wyming Brook (SK2786) for a variety of woodland species which includes Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Crossbill (see here for walk guide from Redmires), as well as Rivelin Dams (SK2786) for wildfowl and other water birds, plus woodland species including Firecrest.

Richard Hill