How to get there
OverviewTreeton Dyke (site map) is one of the largest lowland water-bodies in the SBSG area. In the last century, the River Rother flowed through the current contours of the Dyke, prior to its canalisation with the construction of the railway to the west. The Dyke takes water from the River Rother in times of floods and rose around two metres during the devastating floods of June 2007.
Treeton Dyke has a wide variety of waterside habitats ranging from Willow Carr,
Common Reed, Reedmace, Canary Reed Grass and grassland. Water skiing has taken
place on the Dyke for at least forty years, but there is a 'gentleman's
agreement' not to ski into the southern end. Rotherham Borough Council owns Hail
Mary Hill and Falconer Woods to the east of the Dyke. Treeton Wood is further
east and can be reached by a path from the NE corner of Hail Mary Hill Wood.
These ancient woodlands are primarily oak and birch with small numbers of Hazel,
Sweet Chestnut, Beech and Sycamore. The former Forgemasters' Tip to the
west of the Dyke, also owned by Rotherham Council, is gradually changing from
bare earth to grassland and woodland. Facilities
There are no facilities at the Dyke as such, other than the boat clubhouse for
members only. There is open public access around the Dyke, woodlands and tip,
and the Trans Pennine Way passes along the eastern side of the Dyke. The nearest
pub is the Princess Royal on Retford Road, a short way back towards Sheffield at
Woodhouse Mill to the south, and Treeton Cricket Club on Washfield Lane is open
to the public for drinks. Likely speciesA walk around Treeton Dyke takes around a hour, but for a short visit the southern end tends to be the best for water birds. Historically, the Dyke held low numbers of waterfowl, with the exception of Great Crested Grebe and Goldeneye - both of which are still to be found, but in lower numbers. Since the mid 00s the number of species wintering has increased dramatically, principally because of the large amount of Canadian Pondweed that now occurs for the wildfowl to feed on in early winter. The main beneficiaries of this food source have been (with max numbers in winter 2007/08) Wigeon 40, Gadwall 70 and Coot 200. Other winter waterfowl that can be expected include Shoveler, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Goosander.
Through the summer months a few pairs of Great Crested Grebe and some of the commoner ducks attempt to breed, but not with a great deal of success, due to public disturbance and water skiing. A pair of Mute Swans usually breed each year, but the aggressive male makes sure no other swan or goose species stay around for long. The varied vegetation around the Dyke holds good numbers of Reed Warblers and Reed Buntings, but the once common Sedge Warbler is becoming scarce. In winter the scrub at the northern end of the Dyke tends to be the best area for finches, tits etc.
Through winter Black-headed Gulls are normally the only gull to be found. Common Terns regularly travel through on passage and are often resident in mid-summer, roosting overnight on the buoys. Arctic, Little, Sandwich and Black Terns have all put in appearances over the years, along with the occasional Osprey.
The surrounding woodlands have the usual common woodland breeding birds including Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Chiffchaff and Roding Woodcocks are present some years. The absence of Nuthatch in these woods is rather a mystery! Forgemasters' Tip was famed for its Grasshopper Warblers, but these have not been present in recent years despite suitable habitat. The southern end of the tip can be good for passing warblers such as Lesser and Common Whitethroats, with a few staying to breed. In winter birds tend to be thin on the ground.
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