SK58- Dinnington Marsh

Dinnington Marsh (SK509561)

How to get there

The old mineral line between Dinnington and Thurcroft has been restored for walkers meaning the whole area along with existing footpaths can be explored.

Overview The site lies to the west of Dinnington and is just behind the Satety Kleen Works on Bookers Way. Bookers Way (SK509561) is just off the B6463 Todwick Road between the A57 Todwick cross roads and the Outgang Lane roundabout. Park with care on the industrial estate and head to the path behind the Satety Kleen Works. The footpath runs north all the way to Thurcroft.

Habitat: Back in the 1990's the site with very wet and was excellent for Common Snipe, Jack Snipe and Short-eared Owl. However due to succession of dry winters Willow and Birch has invaded the previous wet open area meaning only Common Snipe is now recorded when it temporary floods. The area is also surrounded by farmland and there is a nearby fishing pond. The site is in need of management and is also under threat from possible future development.

All year: Mallard, Coot and Moorhen are present at the fishing pond which occasionally attracts Mute Swan and Canada Geese as well as Grey Heron. The actual marsh area still holds small numbers of Reed Bunting while Yellowhammer, Linnet and Chaffinch are also present. It is also a good area for Bullfinch and Willow Tit. Jay, Song and Mistle Thrush and Treecreeper also occur.
The surrounding farmland holds Red-legged and Grey Partridge along with Pheasant which are likely to be supplemented by released bid for shooting. Skylark also occur while Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker are regular visitors. The mix of habitats make the area good for birds of prey with Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard all present, while both Little and Tawny Owl can also be found.

Spring/summer: During the spring Curlew and Redshank pass through the site although both have bred in the Brampton Common area in the past. Any of the ploughed fields are worth checking for Wheatear or Whinchat. Lapwing still breed in the area and roding Woodcock have been recorded. Hobby sightings have increased in recent years. It is also a good site for warblers with Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Common and Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap and Garden Warbler all present. Unfortunately with the site drier than in previous years, Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers are no longer annual visitors. It is however still a good site to catch with the increasingly scarce Cuckoo. During May and June this year 1-2 Quail could be heard calling from the area.

Autumn: The area is a good place to observe for passerines on passage with good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare passing through along with Wagtails, Skylarks, Hirundines, Meadow Pipit, the occasional Tree Pipit. Post breeding flocks of Greenfinch and Goldfinch are often present, while Tree Sparrow has been recorded. These flocks of passerines have occasionally attracted Merlin to the area at this time. Autumn also sees the occasional Curlew passing through. It is a good area to find scarcer migrants with Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchat recorded during this period along with this being probably the best area in Rotherham to see Redstart.

Winter: Small numbers of Lesser Redpoll and Siskin can be found, while flocks of Starling, Fieldfare, Redwing and Corvids are also present in the surrounding fields along with Black-headed Gull and Common Gull. It is also a good area for roosting birds especially for species such as Pied Wagtail. The roving tit flocks contain small numbers of Goldcrest. The increase in scrub has also meant it is very attractive for Woodcock while hunting Long-eared Owl and Barn Owl have been recorded at dusk. If the area becomes wet Common Snipe return although the days of double figure counts are over, while Jack Snipe is a very rare visitor. As the area is open Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swan have been recorded passing over as they commute between their Norfolk and Lancashire wintering grounds. There is also a chance of Peregrine hunting the large flocks of Woodpigeon in the area. With Brampton Common and Axle Lane so close Golden Plover are often seen passing over and occasionally in the fields with Lapwings.