Bird Watching
Rotherham has some outstanding areas for bird watching. The northern boundary with Barnsley is home to RSPB Old Moor, 250 acres of diverse wildlife habitats. Keen birdwatchers can appreciate the wildlife from the tranquillity of the five purpose built observation hides, each overlooking different habitats, open water, marsh reedbeds and species-rich grassland.
Ravenfield Park, straddling Hooton Brook, is a natural habitat for different birds, everything from water birds like heron and kingfisher, to woodland and grassland birds. Here you might spot redpoll, siskin, woodcock, tree pipit or even hear a green woodpecker's characteristic 'yaffle' call.
An alternative peaceful retreat can be found at Firsby Reservoir, with grebes diving for food, kestrels hovering close by and swifts, swallows and yellowhammers.
Country Parks
Thrybergh Country Park and the award winning Rother Valley Country Park are also homes to many types of wildlife.