IMPORTANT NOTICE 24th August 2009
As a result of the June 2007 floods, major engineering work is starting to repair the dam wall.
The site can still be viewed from the road bridge and the water level is to be lowered considerably. It's likely to be largely shut for at least 6 months or longer, so full access may not be restored until mid 2010. However, the path on the Ulley side of the Morthen arm (conservation area) is remaining open allowing access to the gorse bank and the fields beyond. How to get there
OverviewUlley Country Park (site map) is situated just 4 miles south of Rotherham town centre, in the east of the SBSG recording area. It was originally built as a reservoir in the 1870s to provide Rotherham with drinking water. By the early 1980s, the reservoir was no longer needed and was sold to Rotherham Borough Council for £1. The defunct reservoir was designated a Country Park in September 1986 for recreational use and for wildlife. A visitor centre and ranger service operate in the park. Footpaths link the park to nearby villages Ulley, Aughton and Whiston. A two mile walk around the Country park is waymarked for easy access. Ulley is also a good base to explore the surrounding countryside.
During the floods of June 2007 the reservoir shot to international fame when part of the dam collapsed. The park still isn’t fully open with the path from the dam wall to road bridge still closed.
FacilitiesThe main car park (with pay and display parking) is open from 9am-6pm daily. The visitor centre is currently closed (due to re-open shortly), but there is an information board and toilets. A ranger service still operates in the park. Fishing and sailing both stopped as a result of flooding but both are due to start up in July 2008. There is also limited free car parking available at the southern end of the reservoir along Ulley Lane and by the road bridge on Reservoir Road.
Likely speciesMost birders tend to concentrate on the northern (Morthen) arm of the reservoir which is designated for conservation. However the whole area can be productive. Limited access since the June flood has resulted in fewer visitors and with sailing and fishing banned, there has been less disturbance to both the water area and the surrounding countryside. The water level is also currently maintained at a lower level than normal, benefitting wader species. The park has a variety of habitats including open water, woodland, grassland, arable land and gorse scrub. Around 165 species have been recorded at the site. Early mornings are best before most of the visitors and fishermen arrive. There is also sailing on the reservoir at weekends.
If using the main car park, check the bird table here as it attracts Tree Sparrow (up to 5 pairs breed in the park), Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer, and the occasional Great Spotted Woodpecker.
The reservoir itself is not noted for its wildfowl but has breeding Great Crested Grebe (1-2 pairs attempt to breed each year) along with a resident pair of Mute Swan. Winter 2007/2008 saw an increase in wildfowl numbers due to the park’s closure, including peak counts of 55 Tufted Duck, 11 Wigeon, 10 Goldeneye,19 Gadwall and 7 Cormorant. Irregular visitors include Pochard, Teal, Canada Goose, Goosander and Little Grebe. A pair of Scaup took residence in January 2008 with the female remaining into April. Other recent scarce birds which have appeared on the reservoir have included Common Scoter, Egyptian Goose, Red-crested Pochard and a brief Little Auk in November 2007. Waders tend to be uncommon with the only regular visitor Common Sandpiper (a flock of 15 was recorded in July 2002). The lower water levels have however produced an over-wintering Green Sandpiper as well as passage appearances from Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, up to 6 Oystercatcher and a Knot. Grey Wagtail breeds annually, while 1-2 Kingfisher are regular from mid-July to March. A pair of Sand Martin nested in the road bridge in 2007.
The park is surrounded by farmland which can also prove productive. Along with Kestrel, Common Buzzard have colonised the area in recent years with 6 seen together in March 2008. The arable fields contain Lapwing as well as Red-legged and Grey Partridge. While any areas of set-aside are worth checking for Stonechat in winter and Whinchat on passage. In late summer there is often a large build up of Swift over Guilthwaite Common. In winter Peregrine can sometimes be found hunting the thousands of Woodpigeon present in the area.
 Other points of interestOther points of interest Over 150 species of flowering plants have been recorded in the park. Over 20 species of butterfly have been recorded including White Letter Hairstreak, Clouded Yellow Fox and the occasional Badger, while the dam wall and filter beds holds a small population of Grass Snake which are sometimes encountered basking on concrete areas. Ulley used to hold Water Vole but I haven't seen any ever since the first Mink turned up. In spring Toads migrate from the gorse back to the reservoir and summer can see hundreds of toadlettes heading back.
Click here for recent site records. Nearby sitesThese include: Treeton Dyke, Catcliffe Flash and Rother Valley Country Park.
Duncan Bye |
The northern (Morthen) arm of the reservoir, which is designated for
conservation, is probably best known for a Great Grey Shrike which
was present for several days in 1996, and has two main habitats. The large Gorse
Bank contains breeding Linnet, Yellowhammer, Garden Warbler,
Whitethroat and Willow Tit. In winter the occasional Woodcock
is flushed. The woodland here holds a pair of Tawny Owl which can often
be heard calling during the day, while Goldcrest, Bullfinch,
Sparrowhawk and Coal Tit also breed. During the winter, alders
attract Siskin and smaller numbers of Lesser Redpoll, joining
roving Tit flocks, while finch and bunting numbers also build up, sometimes
including small numbers of Brambling. Good numbers of Redwing and
Fieldfare are also common during the winter months.