Treeton Dyke from the north-east - Bob Croxton.
Treeton Dyke and its' Environ [including Treeton
Tip, Hail Mary, The New Rother].
Bob Croxton.
Photographs Copyright © Bob Croxton [unless otherwise indicated]
Treeton Dyke | Treeton Data | The New Rother | New Rother Data |
Treeton Dyke.
Treeton Dyke from the north-east - Bob Croxton.
Treeton Dyke 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. 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. Hail Mary Hill and Falconer Woods to the east of the Dyke are owned by Rotherham Borough Council and occasional habitat management work is undertaken. The former "Forgemaster’s Tip" to the west of the Dyke is scheduled to become a nature reserve as mitigation for the Orgreave opencast site.
Birds - The Dyke holds a small but varied range of wildfowl with Great Crested and Little Grebes, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Goldeneye, Goosander present at the appropriate times of year. Most other species occur on passage when rarities such as Black-necked Grebe and Common Scoter have been recorded. The wet areas of the tip used to attract many different passage and breeding waders, but in recent years only Lapwing have bred, with Snipe and Greenshank being the only regular visiting waders. In winter, the Dyke often holds good numbers of Black-headed Gulls, but other species are unusual. Common Terns are usually present through the summer with Sandwich and Little Terns putting in occasional appearances in past years. Good numbers of Sedge and Reed Warblers breed in suitable areas around the Dyke and most of the other common warblers can be found in surrounding scrub and woodland. Grasshopper Warblers are regular on the tip most years. Reed Buntings are relatively common and Green Woodpeckers can be expected on most visits. The wide variety of habitats means that many passerines occur on passage, with wagtails and Wheatear being typical.
Other Interest - Water skiing and fishing take place on the Dyke, while motorcycling and shooting are popular but illegal pastimes in the area. The tip holds an interesting flora and can be good for dragonflies and butterflies.
Access – The Dyke is best visited early morning or daytime during the week to avoid the increasing disturbance of trail bikes. Cars can be parked on Washfield Lane, Treeton or Falconer Lane, Fence. It is possible to walk around the perimeter of the Dyke and there are many public paths through the woods. There is currently free access to the tip but hopefully, for the benefit of the birds, this will be limited when it becomes a nature reserve. Public transport: there are regular buses from Rotherham and Sheffield to Treeton and Fence from Sheffield. Bob Croxton.
Data-by-Site information for the Treeton Dyke area including a nearby stretch of the River Rother known as the "New Rother" is available from the links above and below.
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Treeton Dyke | Treeton Data | The New Rother | New Rother Data |
Information provided by
Tony J. Morris
Copyright © Sheffield Bird Study Group