Hammond's Field Redmires Nature Reserve

The field, bordered by dry-stone walls, is also one of the few remaining areas of relatively unimproved in-bye farmland around the moorland fringe and now forms a small part of the South Pennine Moors SPA. The whole Redmires and Wyming Brook area is of high wildlife value, encompassing an interesting mosaic of habitats. There is no access to the field itself, but a ‘viewing area’ has been created at the south-west corner at the end of the approach track.

The site is generally very wet in winter as evidenced by large areas of soft rush, and smaller clumps of Sphagnum moss. Field wood-rush and grasses such as Yorkshire fog, common bent and marsh foxtail are very much in evidence. Other common species include creeping buttercup, cuckooflower, heath bedstraw and tormentil. Drainage has been carried out in the past and management is now directed to reverse this. The field is important for wading birds such as curlew, snipe, redshank and lapwing, both in the breeding and wintering seasons. An experimental scrape has recently been excavated, and the effects of the scrape and its impact on wildlife are being assessed over a period of time.

A large number of common toads and smooth newts have been found hibernating in the old dry-stone wall on the southern boundary. They probably spawn in the adjacent drainage ditch along with breeding invertebrates such as common hawker dragonfly.

Management is carried out on a long-term basis in partnership with Sheffield Wildlife Action Partnership (SWAP), during autumn and winter when there is least disturbance to breeding birds and ground flora.

Directions

The reserve is on the western outskirts of Sheffield, adjacent to the Redmires Reservoirs, one-and-a-half miles to the west of Lodge Moor. From Sheffield, take the A57 Manchester road, turning left at Crosspool. Alternatively at Rivelin Mill Bridge take Lodge Lane uphill to Lodge Moor, turning right to Redmires Reservoirs.

Access to the reserve is along the conduit path opposite the Upper Reservoir. Car park is 200 yards beyond the conduit path at the corner of the reservoir. There is a small layby for vehicles for the disabled.