Nabil Abbas
Woodhouse Washlands Nature Reserve forms part of an important Living Landscape and helps to link up wildlife habitats along the Rother Valley which is an important bird migration route
Woodhouse Washlands Nature Reserve lies in the floodplain of the River Rother which weaves along the boundary between Sheffield and Rotherham. The reserved has been leased from the Environment Agency by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust since 1994 and forms part of the River Rother Flood Defence Scheme. Covering 55 hectares the reserve is home to an abundance of wild flowers and creatures of all kinds.
It forms part of an important Living Landscape and helps to link up wildlife habitats along the Rother Valley which is, regionally, an important bird migration route. Several wild flower species characteristic of old meadows can be found on the reserve, such as great burnet, pignut, harebell and lesser stitchwort. There are also lots of butterflies including meadow brown, common blue skippers, orange tip and green-veined white. Large crack willow, goat willow and alder trees occur along the riverbanks providing cover for kingfishers and other species of bird.
Water voles and harvest mice have also been found on the reserve, in addition to a number of commoner mammal species such as fox and stoat. A network of ponds and marshy areas support newts, frogs, toads and a strong population of grass snakes. Woodhouse Washlands is lightly grazed all year round with one area left to grow through spring and summer so it can be cut for hay in July. When the flood defence system is in operations we have to close the reserve.
Directions
The reserve lies approximately five miles from the centres of both Sheffield and Rotherham. The boundary between the two cities runs along the river. Easily accessible by car and public transport, the site is only two-and-a-half miles from Junction 31 on the M1. From Junction 31 take the A57 Sheffield road. At the second roundabout take the Woodhouse Mill road to the next roundabout. Turn left onto Retford Road. The Princess
Royal public house car park is 300 yards further on, on the left. From the car park turn right and walk 50 yards up the road to the public footpath, between the factories, to
the reserve. Alternatively, continue along Retford Road and turn left at the lights onto Furnace Lane, to the other car park and entrance.
Species and habitats
- Habitats
- Grassland, Ponds, Wetland
- Species
- Crack Willow, Goat Willow, Common Alder, Great Burnet, Pignut, Harebell, Green-veined White, Orange-tip, Meadow Brown, Kingfisher, Grass Snake, Common Frog, Common Toad, Smooth Newt, Red Fox, Stoat, Water Vole, Harvest Mouse
Nearby nature reserves
- Wyming Brook
- 1 miles - Sheffield Wildlife Trust
- Carbrook Ravine
- 2 miles - Sheffield Wildlife Trust
- Sunnybank
- 4 miles - Sheffield Wildlife Trust