About the reserve

Space to breathe

A green lung close to South Yorkshire’s urban heart, Denaby Ings is a haven for wetland and woodland wildlife, in a landscape that’s been chopped and changed many times over its history.

Even the river Dearne has changed course – the reserve sits on its old course and next to its straightened new course, and the lake was formed when the river was blocked off by tipping coal spoil from a nearby mine. Trees where herons, little egrets, great white egrets and even the odd spoonbill occasionally roost show the Dearne’s historical route. Areas of open water have formed where the river used to flow and these are now rich in aquatic life.

The raised embankment that takes you to the two hides was previously the Dearne Valley Railway, which transported coal from the local mines. The hides offer excellent views out over the main marsh and open water across to wooded crags in the distance, and great vantage points for seeing goosanders, kingfishers and other birds.

Holding back the floods

In spring and summer, the reserve fills with the sound of birdsong, and flowers, including several species of orchid, bloom in the meadows, visited by abundant butterflies.

Denaby Ings also plays an important role in flood relief. When there’s severe flooding, the river can be diverted so that water escapes into the meadows, and can be slowly released after the flood’s peak, providing a mix of reedbeds and muddy shoreline that attracts several species of wading birds, including avocets, bitterns and green sandpipers.