Out on the Trail – The wonders of RSPB Old Moor

Having given RSPB membership to my wife, Sarah for her Birthday, we decided to take advantage of it and drive out to RSPB Old Moor for a morning during the Summer holidays.

Sitting on the Trans Pennine Trail near the village of Wombwell, RSPB Old Moor is a haven for wildlife and a relaxed day of discovery for families and birdwatchers whatever their experience, and for anyone who just enjoys the peace and tranquillity of being out in nature with the promise of a good coffee and tasty cake at the end.

When we arrived, we were greeted by a friendly volunteer who, having identified that it was our first visit, took time to explain the different parts of the reserve and what we might expect to see during our visit.

Armed with Sarah’s binoculars, we made our way along the path through the reedbeds to the Reedbed observation screen, spotting dragonflies hovering above the water, and taking time to pause and enjoy the peacefulness of the place with the sound of the reeds rustling in the wind and of a busy A6195 in the distance.

At this point of our visit, our untrained observations were limited to ducks, moorhens, geese, a couple of swans and a heron fishing in the water.  This was to change when we moved on to Wetlands but not before a nice mug of coffee and a very tasty slice of clementine cake in the coffee shop,

After a relatively short time in one of the Wetlands hides we were soon ticking off different varieties of bird, helped by bird identification posters on the wall of the hide, the Merlin Bird ID app on our phone and advice from other, more experience bird watchers in the hide,

We spotted at least 15 species over a relatively short time, that included Little Egrets, a Cattle Egret, Wood Sandpipers, Coots, Lapwings, Herons, Moorhens, Graylag Geese, Canadian Geese, Little Grebes, a Buzzard, Cormorants, Swans and Ducks.  Our most unusual sighting though, was the Spoonbill, a fabulous looking bird that feeds by moving its bill from side to side. Click on the links for further information about them.

But RSPB Old Moor isn’t just a place for spotting birds, it’s a place bursting with nature of all kinds, and a place to relax and reflect, helped by a well thought out Wellbeing Trail to help you connect with nature through your different senses.

Between the Hides, we enjoyed the views and sounds across the reserve, pausing to take note of the mindfulness activities and reading the information boards that told the story of Old Moor and its coal mining heritage.

And there’s plenty of activities for the kids too, from pond dipping to bug hunting and a fabulous outdoor play area to let them let off steam.  Next time we visit, it will be with the Grandkids for sure.

We went to RSPB Old Moor for a couple of hours but ended up staying most of the day, thrilled with our sightings and overall experience. And having visited once we’ll become regular visitors from now so we can experience the changing habitats and inhabitants as they evolve through the different seasons.

The reserve is open all year except Christmas, with varying opening hours depending on the season. The visitor centre offers amenities such as toilets, a café serving delicious refreshments, and a well-stocked shop where you will find bird related products, books and souvenirs.  And don’t worry if you don’t have your own binoculars, there are pairs available for hire, from £3 on our visit.

Entry is free to RSPB members and £6 (adults), £4 (students with valid id) and £3 (5–17-year-olds) for non-members.

Situated near the village of Wombwell, RSPB Old Moor is easily accessible from the Trans Pennine Trail and whether you’re arriving by foot, bike, or car, direction signs get you to the reserve. Ample parking is available, and for those using public transport, regular bus services connect the reserve to nearby towns.

Date: 30th August 2024