RSPB Old Moor

08/06/2026

🐉✨ DRAGONFLY DISCOVERY WALK ✨🐉

Have you ever watched a dragonfly dart across a pond and wondered what it was doing?

Join David Pritchard, RSPB Old Moor's resident dragonfly and damselfly expert, for a fascinating guided walk around the reserve.

A self-confessed dragonfly and damselfly enthusiast, David has spent countless hours studying, recording and monitoring these incredible insects throughout their life cycle – from aquatic larvae beneath the water's surface to the agile aerial hunters we see skimming our ponds and reedbeds.

During this special event, you'll discover:
🔹 How to identify different dragonfly and damselfly species
🔹 Their remarkable behaviours and hunting techniques
🔹 The secret lives of their underwater larvae
🔹 Why these prehistoric insects have survived for over 300 million years

Whether you're a keen wildlife watcher, photographer, or simply curious about nature, this is a fantastic opportunity to see Old Moor through the eyes of one of our most knowledgeable volunteers.

📅 Tuesday 16th June 2026 11.00am - 1.00pm
📍 RSPB Old Moor
🎟️ Price includes entry to the reserve for the entire day

Spaces are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment.

https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/167930

07/06/2026

As National Volunteers' Week comes to a close, we'd like to take a moment to say a huge THANK YOU to every single volunteer at RSPB Old Moor. 💚

From the friendly faces who welcome visitors, work in the shop and café, and help create a warm and enjoyable experience for everyone who visits.

To the volunteers who help manage and care for the reserve, maintain paths, repair fences, install benches, fill bird feeders, and keep the site looking its best.

To our creative volunteers whose hard work and imagination help make events like Wildlights such a magical success.

And to those who quietly get stuck into litter picking, practical conservation work, and the countless behind-the-scenes jobs that often go unnoticed.

Your dedication, enthusiasm, and generosity make an incredible difference every day. RSPB Old Moor simply wouldn't be the special place it is without you.

Whether you're helping wildlife, supporting visitors, or lending a hand wherever it's needed, you're all part of what makes this reserve such a fantastic place to visit.

So a genuine heart felt thank you from all the staff at Old Moor. Thank you.

06/06/2026

Dragonfly update 6/6/26

Cooler temperatures, stiff breezes and frequent drizzle has made it a little quieter on the reserve this week, but the damselflies have continued to show well, along with some rather splendid looking Black-Tailed Skimmers.

Our lead Warden, Dave, reported a sighting of a Red-Veined Darter on Edderthorpe Flash. We're becoming increasingly convinced that this is the "blood red" Darter species Volunteer Shaun saw on the Suntrap Pond by the Visitor's Centre last week, since we've yet to see any other darters around Old Moor yet.

We've still to get a local photo though, so consider that a challenge. You're looking for blue on the lower surfaces on the large compound eyes.

05/06/2026

Wouldn't it be fantastic to have one of these sculptures in the Dearne Valley?

Tick like 👍 if you agree

05/06/2026

What would we do without you!

It's time for us at Old Moor to say a big 'THANK YOU!!!!!!!' to all our volunteers here. Be it at the shop, the café or the welcome, we simply couldn't manage to run our day-to-day business without the countless volunteers. You give up your time for the RSPB and our cause as well as our reserve and everyone who works here and visits.

This week we're celebrating the people who use their passion and considerable skills so nature and the wildlife that lives in it can thrive. Put together there's 14.2 million of you in the UK, and every single one of you makes a difference!

Thank you all from the entire team here at Old Moor - we couldn't do it without you!

05/06/2026

🎁 Father's Day is just around the corner! (21st June) 🎁

Looking for the perfect gift for the nature-loving dad in your life?

Why not pop into the shop at RSPB Old Moor and browse our range of wildlife-inspired gifts and outdoor essentials.

⌚ Treat Dad to one of our stylish RSPB logo watches – practical, smart, and a great way to support nature.

🔭 For dads who love getting closer to wildlife, our compact monoculars make a fantastic gift. Lightweight, easy to carry, and perfect for spotting birds and other wildlife on walks.

📚 We also have a range of bird guides, wildlife books, feeders, nest boxes, gifts, and much more to help make Father's Day extra special.

Whether he's a keen birder, a wildlife watcher, or simply enjoys spending time outdoors, you'll find plenty of gift ideas in our shop.

Pop in and see us soon – Father's Day will be here before you know it!

04/06/2026

'Obi-Swan-Kenobi' was encouraged to take flight after landing on the Broomhill Roundabout today. Not the safest spot for both the swan nor for the passing traffic.

The swan is now at its intended destination, the safe wetlands at RSPB Old Moor.

We would like to thank the concerned members of the public who alerted us to this situation and a massive shout out to for stopping the traffic and making the area safe so that Obi can take flight- with a little bit of help from its friends.

04/06/2026

Recent Sightings 03/06/26

Old Moor - Little Ringed Plover, Med Gull x 2, Yellow Legged Gull (3cy)

Bolton Ings - Little Egret, Marsh Harrier x 3, Hobby, Caspian Gull, Grey Wagtail

Adwick Washlands - Shelduck, Wigeon, Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Marsh Harrier

03/06/2026

📷Rosie Dutton's Women's* photography course📷
Saturday 4th July 10:30 - 19:00 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗴𝗶𝗳𝘁
https://events.rspb.org.uk/events/159996

Back by popular demand, another chance to join Rosie Dutton, a talented up and coming young photographer and film maker on her all female photography course.
Get to know and understand your camera equipment better with a full day of advice and tips with practical field training around RSPB Old Moor.
Limited tickets available

*The term ‘woman’ or ‘women’ or ‘female’ is used in its most inclusive sense to include trans women, genderqueer women, cisgender women and non-binary people, all of whom are welcome to attend.
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The RSPB (The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) is charity for the conservation of birds & wildlife. We bring people together who love nature and want to take action to restore it

02/06/2026

The Bee Orchids are back! These beautiful flowers are famous for their ability to fool insects into a cosy embrace to pollinate.

They produce up to ten flowers on a single stem, but please don't be tempted to take any home. We can always tell (see the third photo for the closer view).

Please leave them for the enjoyment of others.

Thank you.