A cluster of land along the River Dearne and its tributary the River Dove, near Barnsley, has been officially recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England
Natural England has today officially notified that the Dearne Valley Wetlands is a SSSI for its nationally important bird species, including the willow tit, as well as wetland birds such as bittern, garganey, lapwing, redshank and avocet.
The SSSI links different pockets of valuable habitat in the Dearne Valley area between Pool Ings near Royston in the north, a large area between Worsbrough in the west, and Adwick Washland in the east.
Natural England worked with a number of organisations on the SSSI proposal, including the RSPB, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, Garganey Trust, Environment Agency, Barnsley, Rotherham and Doncaster councils, together known as the Dearne Valley Green Heart Partnership.
Paul Duncan, Natural England Area Manager, said:
A key factor in achieving the SSSI status was the stronghold of willow tits, a nationally important bird species, which has declined by 94% since the 1970s and is now this country’s most threatened resident bird species.
One of the catalysts for the regeneration was the establishment of Old Moor nature reserve by Barnsley Council in 1998, before management was taken over by the RSPB in 2003.
RSPB Yorkshire and Humber Area Manager Richard Barnard said:
Large parts of the wetlands that now form part of the SSSI were established for flood risk management purposes by the Environment Agency to slow the flow of water down the Dearne Valley to the River Don, including Bolton Ings, Adwick and Houghton and protect communities along the rivers Dearne and Don.
Anthony Downing, Environment Agency catchment co-ordinator for the Don and Rother, said:
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Chief Executive Rachael Bice said:
Cllr Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, said:
Garganey Trust Chairman Jeff Lunn BEM said:
Natural England has notified landowners and occupiers, and statutory bodies of the designation of the Dearne Valley Wetlands SSSI. There is now a four month consultation period in which people can give their views.
For further information on Dearne Valley Wetlands
Notes to Editors
For people wishing to visit parts of the Dearne Valley Wetlands SSSI the following access points are open to the public (subject to the latest coronavirus restrictions – check before visiting):