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Worksop & District

Natural History

Nightingale singing at Whisby Nature Reserve

The Natural History Group operates two programs depending on the time of year.

During the spring and summer we meet up for a couple of outings a month where we visit various nature reserves and other places of natural history interest. These take place on Friday and are subject to the weather and or numbers.

During the winter, we meet once a month on a Friday afternoon at Carlton in Lindrick Civic Centre or occasionally at Worksop Library and enjoy a variety of speakers.

Whenever possible we car-share and we have an accepted formula for contributing to travelling expenses.

Everything you need to know

Status:Active, open to new members
Leader:
When: Monthly on Fridays
Once or twice a month on a Friday morning in spring and summer for outdoor visits. Once a month on a Friday afternoon in winter for indoor meetings.
Venue: Carlton in Lindrick Civic Centre
Cost: £12.50 joining fee/annual subscription, to cover speaker’s costs, plus £1 each at an indoor venue to pay for room hire.
Comma Butterfly

Our proposed trips and events for 2026

Please note these a proposed trips for this year and are subject to change, but give a flavour of what we want to see and do.

Confirmed dates and times will be circulated to group members nearer the times.


January (Confirmed)

23 January 2025 2pm 

Carlton in Lindrick

Speaker Gary Hobson: Beautiful Baby Birds - A Celebration of Life


February

RSPB Black Toft Sands near Goole

Just an hour away from Worksop this reserve is well worth a visit, but only if there has been rainfall on the reedbeds when it is home for a host of wildlife

Entrance fee applies for non-members


March / April

RSPB Old Moor

Will the Bitterns be booming?

Difficult to see but these birds are making an incredible comeback from the brink of extinction, and their unique foghorn like booming sound can be heard up to three mile away

Onsite café

Entrance fee applies for non-members

RHS Felley Priory Garden

A hidden gem of a garden in Nottinghamshire with spring flowers, topiary and bluebells.

Onsite tearoom

Entrance fee applies.


April / May

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust North Cave Wetlands Reserve, near Brough

About an hour from Worksop this is a still expanding reserve that was previously a sand and gravel quarry. It has been restored to a natural habitat for the benefit of wildlife with shallow and deep water lakes.


June

RSPB Bempton Cliffs and YWT Flamborough Head

Puffins! Say no more

This will be a 2 day trip travelling to Bridlington the day before visiting the reserve. You will need to book your own accommodation, and we can possibly meet up for something to eat on the evening.

The following day we will enjoy time with the puffins and drive back home at a leisurely pace. There's always an option to stay a second night

Onsite café at Bempton

Entrance fee applies for non-members to RSPB Bempton Cliffs


July

Global Birdfair 2026 - Rutland Water

Rutland Water is about an hour and a quarter from Worksop down the A1. The Global Birdfair take place on 10th,11th and 12th of July 2026 so we propose our visit to coincide with that on Friday the 10th.

If you would like to attend you will need to buy a ticket on line. They will be available early 2026. Price are yet set but will probably be about £20.

RSPB Fairburn Ings

About 45 minutes up the A1. We could see kingfishers and spoonbills

On site café

Entrance fee applies for non-members.


August

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Potteric Carr Nature Reserve

A local reserve near Doncaster. Lots of good hides with the possibility of spotting bitterns, waders, marsh harriers, and deer.

Onsite café

Entrance fee applies for non-members.

RSPB St Aiden

Close to the centre of Leeds the nature park offers trails and good walks around the lakes, meadows and woodland. Look out for kestrels and little owls, as well as deer.

Onsite café

Entrance fee applies for non-members.


September

RSPB Old Moor

An evening bat walk. The bat walk at Creswell was such an outstanding success we thought we'd try another at a different venue.

Check website nearer the time for the costs.


October

Hannah Park, Sparken Hill Worksop

A crisp (we hope) autumn walk kicking leaves and looking for fungi.

Yorkshire Arboretum

An hour and a quarter, just the other side of York at Castle Howard. A parkland of trees, meadows and lakes. Home to a red squirrel breeding program.

A stunning place especially with the autumnal changing colours.

Entrance fee applies

Onsite café

Reserve Visit Reports

We visit a wide range of local nature reserves. Below are reports of our recent visits


  • RSPB Old Moor - 21 March 2025

    Drake Teal

    Click on the link above to read the report on the Natural History group visit to RSPNB Old Moor at Wath upon Dearne - 21 March 2025