Photograph © Jenny Kingsland

How to get there

• Click here for Ordnance Survey map.
• The main entrance is at Hunter’s Bar roundabout on the A625 Ecclesall Road, although the Porter Valley can be accessed at various points along the route. The site can be found on the Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 110 or Explorer Sheet 278.
• Public transport: The many services which pass Hunter’s Bar include numbers 6, 30, 81-86, 88 and 272. Numbers 6, 40 and 120 go to Fulwood where the valley can be joined at Forge Dam.
• Facilities: toilets and cafe in Endcliffe Park and at Forge Dam.

Overview

The Porter Valley runs south-west from near the city centre climbing steadily to the source of the Porter on the edge of the Peak District. It includes public parks, riverside walks, ancient woodland and farmland, and makes an enjoyable urban birding walk at all times of the year. There are six dams between Hunter’s Bar and Forge Dam where water-powered workshops driven by waterwheels were established from as early as the mid-sixteenth century. Much of the valley now belongs to the city: Endcliffe Park was the first area to be adapted for public use in 1885; the last was Porter Clough, given to the city by the Graves Trust in 1937. Further information can be found on The Friends of Porter Valley website.

Likely species

The best introduction to the area is to follow the Sheffield Round Walk along the river from Hunter’s Bar (SK332857) to Forge Dam (SK303869). The walk first passes through Endcliffe Park where Grey Wagtail and Dipper can sometimes be seen on the river. Kingfisher is often present in winter and may offer good views as it fishes on the two dams. All three species may also be found further up the valley. Nuthatch and Treecreeper are common on the trees to each side of the river. The Porter Valley holds the highest number of Mallards in the city and many are present in Endcliffe Park. Mandarins are rare but have occasionally been seen, the most recent record being 2003.

Bingham Park runs up from the river to an area of woodland where Great Spotted Woodpeckers and Stock Doves are common. Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers have bred here but recent sightings have been rarer. In winter Redwings are often present. Wood Warblers are recorded from time to time in summer; the last records were in 2001 and 2005. From Bingham Park, the river passes Trippett Wood and then enters Whiteley Woods where there are Chiffchaff and Blackcap. This is also another good spot for Dipper. Lesser Spotted Woodpecker has been recorded around nearby Wiremill Dam.

The last area is Forge Dam where Grey Wagtail and Grey Heron are often seen. Little Grebes have been recorded on Forge and Wiremill Dams but are now rare visitors. Forge Dam occasionally produces surprises such as the Common Scoter in June 2005. For a longer walk follow the Round Walk up Porter Clough. The surrounding scrub is a good place for winter thrushes, summer warblers and finches, whilst Grey Partridge are occasionally seen in the farmland. Overhead, sightings of Kestrel, Common Buzzard and even Red Kite are possible. Sparrowhawk is common throughout the valley.

Jenny Kingsland