YWT Denaby Ings - 3 March 2013

Number 17: Denaby Ings! Another South Yorkshire wetland formed decades ago by mining subsidence. This lovely site is easy to find lying close to Nursery Lane running out of Mexborough. It is only a couple of miles from Sprotbrough Flash too, so is worth combining both sites in a day.

 

The car park is surfaced and holds c15 cars. It is accessed off quite a fast road so care is needed. Up a set of steep steps we went, though you can view down the flash from the roadbridge. You can walk a nice loop of the nature reserve which the Trust has managed since the 1960s. The first section follows the top of a large embankment, a former railway line, with the flash down to your left and the River Dearne down to your right.  On the far side of the river is the Trans-Pennine Trail. There is a hide overlooking the first flash and then a second overlooking Cadeby Flash.

The site teemed with ducks including c50 Gadwall, c70 Teal and smaller numbers of Tufted Ducks and Mallard. From the second hide, I was delighted to find a loafing flock of 12 Goosanders, the males creamy bodies and bottle green heads looking smart even in the dreary light.

 The Goosanders are just visible on the far side.

About 20 Cormorants were hanging out in the large dead trees and Black-headed and Common Gulls rested on the water. I scrutinised the flock though could not find anything more unusual among them. After a short walk, we headed back to the car, noting a singing Goldcrest on the way. A very pleasant site.

YWT Sprotbrough Flash - 3 March 2013

Spring is definitely in the air and despite a gloomier outlook than yesterday we headed south down the A1 for a trip to the Don Gorge. We soon arrived at the River Don and the Boat Inn where we grabbed the last space in the small parking spot by the river. Off we went down the Trans-Pennine Trail which is a wide, flat path following the river and along one edge of the nature reserve.


After a few minutes the flash appeared on our right hand side through the trees and the springtime sound of battling Coots filled the air.

Across the river a Nuthatch called repeatedly though remained hidden. The flash is the result of mining subsidence along the river and the Trust has managed this site, plus the flanking magnesian limestone grasslands and woodland for many years. Along the riverside path a number of bomb-proof viewing screens look out over the water.

Several Pochard, a handsome pair of Shovellers and c20 Tufted Ducks were present, plus a smart pair of Great Crested Grebes. A Kingfisher darted past along the river, flashing its turquoise back momentarily, sadly evading the kids. A little later, a Green Woodpecker yaffled loudly, perched on the top most branch of a tall ash. He continued all morning and could be heard from the other side of the reserve later.

At the end of the flash, we hooked back into the reserve proper, through a kissing gate. The kids enjoyed a quick exploration of some small caves in the face of an old dolomite quarry. The limestone boulders were nestled amid shiny Hart's-tongue Ferns.

Up we went through the woods noticing hardy Dog's Mercury making an appearance on the woodland floor. We had to carry the pushchair up some steps but it wasn't too arduous. A Willow Tit was heard singing here, plus a few Siskins. The track climbs gently for a few minutes and then you come out next to a wide arable field. We followed this woodland edge, spotting out first Lesser Celandines of the year and plenty of Hazel catkins.

The views back over to the flash and the cliffs beyond were lovely, though it was a shame it wasn't sunny.

The going was good and we soon met up with a wider public footpath that we followed down to the pub and lunch. A very pleasant walk on a mild spring day. The loop was easy going about 2 miles and took us a couple of hours, with plenty of stops.