RSPB Old Moor Wetland Centre
Encyclopedia
RSPB Old Moor is a 250 acres (1 km²) wetlands nature reserve
in Barnsley
, England
run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
(RSPB). It lies on the junction of the north/south and east/west routes of the Trans Pennine Trail
. The centre was opened by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in 1998 as part of the regeneration of the Dearne Valley and then developed further with the help of a lottery grant in 2002. The RSPB took over management of the site in 2003 and developed the site further with funding from various sources including the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Forward and WREN. The area around RSPB Old Moor contains several other wildlife areas including Wombwell Ings and Gypsy Marsh, (which are also managed by the RSPB), Broomhill Flash and Doveside Nature Reserve.
Picnic areas are situated on various trails throughout the reserve. There are also several bird hide
s with good views of the main habitat
s. They are all based on land cutting through the middle of the main lakes. This means that the furthest hide is only half a mile from the visitor centre.
Car and coach parking is available.
s which form marshland and reedbeds, as well as the open water. There is also land based grassland and bushy habitat. There is also a small garden
created beside the visitor centre.
At the eastern end of the reserve there are several pond
s surrounded by shrubbery
and bushes
. This attracts smaller species, amphibian
s, and insect
s.
s and 2000 Lapwing
s. It also has over 250 Tree Sparrow
s (an endangered species
). Other notable species include Coot
s and year round Wildfowl.
Nature reserve
A nature reserve is a protected area of importance for wildlife, flora, fauna or features of geological or other special interest, which is reserved and managed for conservation and to provide special opportunities for study or research...
in Barnsley
Barnsley
Barnsley is a town in South Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Dearne, north of the city of Sheffield, south of Leeds and west of Doncaster. Barnsley is surrounded by several smaller settlements which together form the Metropolitan Borough of Barnsley, of which Barnsley is the largest and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
run by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Bird Notes and News was first published in April 1903.The title changed to 'Bird Notes' in 1947. In the 1950s, there were four copies per year . Each volume covered two years, spread over three calendar years...
(RSPB). It lies on the junction of the north/south and east/west routes of the Trans Pennine Trail
Trans Pennine Trail
The Trans Pennine Trail is a long distance path running from coast to coast across northern England entirely on surfaced paths and using only gentle gradients ....
. The centre was opened by Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in 1998 as part of the regeneration of the Dearne Valley and then developed further with the help of a lottery grant in 2002. The RSPB took over management of the site in 2003 and developed the site further with funding from various sources including the Heritage Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Forward and WREN. The area around RSPB Old Moor contains several other wildlife areas including Wombwell Ings and Gypsy Marsh, (which are also managed by the RSPB), Broomhill Flash and Doveside Nature Reserve.
Facilities
The reserve is entered through converted farm buildings which form the visitor centre, including a shop and the restaurant, with a balcony overlooking the reserve. There is also a classroom for educational visits and meeting rooms which can be used by local businesses, community groups and others. There is a children's adventure playground next to the farmhouse.Picnic areas are situated on various trails throughout the reserve. There are also several bird hide
Bird hide
A bird hide is a shelter, often camouflaged, that is used to observe wildlife, especially birds, at close quarters. Although hides were once built chiefly as hunting aids, they are now commonly found in parks and wetlands for the use of bird watchers, ornithologists and other observers who do not...
s with good views of the main habitat
Habitat (ecology)
A habitat is an ecological or environmental area that is inhabited by a particular species of animal, plant or other type of organism...
s. They are all based on land cutting through the middle of the main lakes. This means that the furthest hide is only half a mile from the visitor centre.
Car and coach parking is available.
Habitat
The reserve is based around several lakeLake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
s which form marshland and reedbeds, as well as the open water. There is also land based grassland and bushy habitat. There is also a small garden
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
created beside the visitor centre.
At the eastern end of the reserve there are several pond
Pond
A pond is a body of standing water, either natural or man-made, that is usually smaller than a lake. A wide variety of man-made bodies of water are classified as ponds, including water gardens, water features and koi ponds; all designed for aesthetic ornamentation as landscape or architectural...
s surrounded by shrubbery
Shrubbery
A shrubbery is a wide border to a garden where shrubs are thickly planted; or a similar larger area with a path winding through it. A shrubbery was a feature of 19th-century gardens in the English manner, with its origins in the gardenesque style of the early part of the century...
and bushes
Shrub
A shrub or bush is distinguished from a tree by its multiple stems and shorter height, usually under 5–6 m tall. A large number of plants may become either shrubs or trees, depending on the growing conditions they experience...
. This attracts smaller species, amphibian
Amphibian
Amphibians , are a class of vertebrate animals including animals such as toads, frogs, caecilians, and salamanders. They are characterized as non-amniote ectothermic tetrapods...
s, and insect
Insect
Insects are a class of living creatures within the arthropods that have a chitinous exoskeleton, a three-part body , three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae...
s.
Bird Species
The centre boasts up to 8000 Golden PloverGolden Plover
There are three species of wading birds in the plover family called Golden Plover. They are* Eurasian Golden Plover, Pluvialis apricaria* Pacific Golden Plover, Pluvialis fulva* American Golden Plover, Pluvialis dominica...
s and 2000 Lapwing
Lapwing
Vanellinae are any of various crested plovers, family Charadriidae, noted for its slow, irregular wingbeat in flight and a shrill, wailing cry. Its length is 10-16 inches. They are a subfamily of medium-sized wading birds which also includes the plovers and dotterels. The Vanellinae are...
s. It also has over 250 Tree Sparrow
Tree Sparrow
The Eurasian Tree Sparrow is a passerine bird in the sparrow family with a rich chestnut crown and nape, and a black patch on each pure white cheek. The sexes are similarly plumaged, and young birds are a duller version of the adult...
s (an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
). Other notable species include Coot
Coot
Coots are medium-sized water birds that are members of the rail family Rallidae. They constitute the genus Fulica. Coots have predominantly black plumage, and, unlike many of the rails, they are usually easy to see, often swimming in open water...
s and year round Wildfowl.