We have at the side of every wetland area along the Dearne
Valley huge areas of ex-colliery spoil heaps that if managed correctly would enable
farmland/grassland bird species to become much more abundant e.g. owls, harriers,
skyark, meadow pipit, quail,
yellowhammer, grey partridge etc etc.
Edderthorpe Ings - Cudworth Common. Park Spring Tip
Houghton Washland - Houghton Main Tip
Broomhill / Old Moor -
Adwick -
Unfortunately after the demise of the mining industry there
was a mad rush to 'green' the valley. Consequently all of these spoil heaps were
rapidly top soiled and blanketed with trees without much thought.
It is up to local birders to point out to the RSPB, Barnsley
Council and Forestry Commission that these sites should be managed more effectively
for the benefit of birds.
Which of course means a bit of tweaking to remove large swathes
of trees and carry out a bit of re-landscaping to create grassland and
heathland habitats.Not many river valleys have such massive ex-colliery spoil heaps running along the length of them like the
Huge benefits could be gained in the valley if these areas were managed for birds.
It would be great to have more owls and harriers using the valley.
It is up to you to push this.
2 comments:
I couldn't agree more Chris, I and my colleages have spent the past 30years removing trees and scrub just to try and keep open views over the reserve. Too many were planted at Carlton Marsh,its more like Carlton Woods now! Yes it has brought in a lot of new species, but half the time 'we cant see the wood for the trees.' I am still passionate about the place though and working with Trevor Mayne and Russ Boland is a real bonus.
I think the initiative for ex-colliery spoil heaps, like most conservation issues along the Dearne Valley, should emanate from the offices at Old Moor. But it doesn't.
There are plans to re-shape Cudworth Common to make it more bird friendly - but this is a Forestry Commission initiative and NOT a RSPB one.
Bolton Tip at the side of Bolton Ings and Old Moor Nature Reserves could become a great addition to the Dearne Valley conservation area. The ironic thing about it - is that it is owned by Barnsley Council.
These ex-colliery spoil heaps cover huge areas. I think Rabbit Ings is an example of what could be achieved in the valley.
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