Crowds flocking to Old Moor

The popular attraction, on Manvers Way in Wath-on-Dearne, has seen a rise in the number of families visiting to enjoy a day with the wildlife.

Site manager Matthew Capper says that moves to make the reserve family-friendly have paid off after a fall in visitor numbers around the festive season due to the bad weather.

He said: “We had some appalling weather in the pre-Christmas/post-Christmas period and that did suppress visitor numbers but in the last three to four weeks since the sun came out the numbers have bounced back.

“We are getting more and more families.

“We have been doing a lot of work to attract families. A lot of kids these days do not get that connection with nature so what we are trying to do is create an environment where kids can explore and parents can relax knowing it’s a safe environment.”

Mr Capper said that family-friendly features at the reserve include an adventure playground, pond dipping and a discovery zone where youngsters can enjoy the sort of games their parents used to play, such as leapfrog.

Mr Capper said: “As people walk around there is always something to do and at the same time there are butterflies, birds and orchids.”

There has also been some unusual animal activity at the reserve with the arrival of seven avocets - rare black and white wading birds with upturned bills - and a possible unusual Spring record of a Cetti’s Warbler, as well as Brimstone, Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies.

A ONE-legged gull has hopped back to the Old Moor nature reserve.

The bird, a Mediterranean Gull, has been recognised by twitchers as a past visitor to the RSPB nature spot in Wath.