Sprotbrough Flash

Sprotbrough Flash, also called Sprotborough Flash, is a nature reserve situated south of Sprotbrough near Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK on the left bank of the River Don. It is named after its main feature, a long, water-filled depression parallel to the river.[1] The reserve is managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. It overlaps with Sprotbrough Gorge, a Site of Special Scientific Interest.[2] The size of the protected area is 28 hectares (0.28 square kilometers). The Trans Pennine Trail passes through the area.

Sprotbrough Flash
The eponymous body of water
TypeNature reserve
LocationSouth Yorkshire
Nearest cityDoncaster
OS gridSE 536 013
Coordinates53.5016°N 1.1948°W / 53.5016; -1.1948
Area28 ha
Operated byYorkshire Wildlife Trust
Websitehttp://www.ywt.org.uk/reserves/sprotbrough-flash-nature-reserve

History

Two hundred and eighty million years ago, during the Permian period, dolomite (magnesium limestone) formed here. This has been mined since the mid-19th century.[3][4] Mining has since stopped and wildlife has returned to this area. The original quarry can still be seen opposite the River Don, adjacent to the Sprotbrough Flash lake.[5]

Worthy of note, the woolly rhinoceros[6] lived in this area in the Pleistocene. Bones from this creature have been discovered here.[7]

The long lake from which the name of the reserve is derived is the result of subsidence caused by the collapse of old coal mines.[8]

Wildlife
Observation screen on the lake

Sightings of a range of bird and land life have been noted here.[9] The fauna includes kingfishers, brown hare, grass snakes , bitterns, ruddy darters, and the great crested grebe. Plant life includes common twayblade, common spotted orchid, spindle, small leaved lime, woodruff, greater stitchwort, sanicle, and the early purple orchid.

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References
  1. "Sprotbrough Gorge" (PDF). 24 March 1988.
  2. "Sprotbrough Gorge SSSI". Natural England.
  3. "Limestone/dolomite mining sites by region UK 2014 | Statistics". Statista. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  4. "Extractive Zone | South Yorkshire Historic Environment Characterisation". sytimescapes.org.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  5. "Sprotbrough Flash". Local Explorer - Adventure Just Beyond Your Door. Local Explorer. p. 1. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
  6. "Extinct Woolly Rhino". International Rhino Foundation. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  7. "Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve Yorkshire Wildlife Trust | Love Yorkshire, Love Wildlife". www.ywt.org.uk. Retrieved 21 August 2017.
  8. Nigel Homer (4 February 2006). "Sprotbrough Flash". Geograph Britain and Ireland.
  9. "Sprotbrough Flash Nature Reserve Yorkshire Wildlife Trust | Love Yorkshire, Love Wildlife". www.ywt.org.uk. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
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