Crabtree Ponds is Burngreave’s hidden gem. In a very urban area, surrounded by roads, this handsome nature reserve brings much-needed green space. As part of a larger nature reserve and mainly used for recreational purposes or as a cut-through by local residents, this reserve is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
Crabtree Ponds started life as an ornamental pond for Crabtree Lodge in the 19th Century and is now a large area of standing water abundant with aquatic life such as rudd, roach, perch, crucian carp, sticklebacks and even eels. Several species of local biodiversity priorities, such as hawker dragonflies, smooth and palmate newt, frogs and toads can also be found here.
The dense shrub layer provides ideal habitat for fungi, shelter for hedgehogs and an ideal home for many insects.
Pipistrelle, Daubenton’s and Leisler’s bats all flit over from the nearby Roe Woods to feed at the ponds. In the woods where sycamore, poplar and ash predominate, bird boxes have encouraged nesting blue tits and great tits, with treecreepers, woodpeckers, wrens also breeding here.
Volunteer Work Days
Maintenance days with members of the local community are normally held on the first Monday of every month, from 10am to 12.30pm, but you can drop in whenever is convenient. Tasks include litter picking, habitat management, planting, and infrastructure repair. Tools, gloves, hot drinks and biscuits are provided – all help gratefully received! Find details for the next volunteer work day on our events page.
If you would like to get in touch about Crabtree Ponds or any of our other nature reserves, please email us or call 0114 263 4335.
