Kings Meadow
Name: King’s Meadow
Location: Lenton
Size: 1.2 hectares
Designation: SINC
Date Acquired: 1995
Tenure: Leasehold
Habitat Type: Grassland
Key Species: Hairy clover, kidney vetch, blue
fleabain, rat's-tail fescue and common blue butterfly.
History of the Site
This very special reserve was created in 1992 as a receptor site for flora and fauna
that would otherwise have been destroyed by development on the former Wilford
Power Station. When the power station was decommissioned in the 1960, a layer of
pulverised fuel ash (PFA) was spread on the site. Nature being nature, the area
became colonised by two species of orchid; common spotted (Dactylorhiza fuchsia),
southern marsh (Dactylorhiza praetermissa) which then pollinated and produced
hybrids. Other species typical of sparsely-vegetated, man-made sites also colonised
creating a very unusual post-industrial grassland habitat of high conservation value.
In the years to come the disused power station was earmarked for development in
the 1980s/1990s. Subsequently, the NWT and NUWS (Nottinghamshire Urban
Wildlife Scheme) headed a major campaign to save the habitat and its flora from this
fate. As a result, in 1995 large sections of vegetated ash turf were successfully
translocated from the power station site to the newly-created Kings’ Meadow reserve.
The reserve is owned by the Nottinghamshire City Council but it managed by the
Trust on a 21 year lease.
Queen’s Meadow, the other small section of the reserve, underwent a similar history
until 1992. However, it was retained by the City Council and received little
management after 1995. Like the King’s Meadow section, Queen’s Meadow was also
a site for the orchid-bearing ash turf translocation. In 2010 the City Council passed
management of the additional area on to Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust to rationalise
the management of both areas.
Site Description
Located on the northern edge of the Riverside Industrial Park in the Lenton,
Nottingham, King’s Meadow is a unique urban nature reserve covering 1.2 hectare in
size. Although the reserve is only small, the ‘man-made’ nature has resulted in an
unusually high diversity of habitats within a compact area.
The site consists of two small parcels of land straddling the canalised and fenced-off
River Leen, close to its confluence with the River Trent. The larger parcel is north of
the river, separated from it by a path and cycle track.
The reserve forms part of the King’s Meadow Grassland SINC (Site of Importance for
Nature Conservation), designated in part for its post-industrial botanical diversity. It
supports a number of different wildlife habitats including hawthorn and bramble
scrub, dry grassland, and ruderal areas. These habitats in turn support a wide variety
of plants and other wildlife particularly invertebrates. King’s Meadow has provided
records of a number of invertebrate species found nowhere else in the county.
Site Management
By conserving and enhancing the flora and fauna, with particular emphasis on the
wild flower communities and invertebrate fauna, the reserves scientific value could be
increased still further. The reserve also has the potential to become an educational
resource for local people, and thus influencing the way people treat the reserve. This
incredibly fortunate reserve may be seen as a ‘waste ground’, and its value therefore
needs to be promoted.
Key Species
The site now has a varied flora, reflecting the diversity of low-fertility substrates and
the successful establishment of many translocated species. There are five distinct
vegetation types; a dense sward dominated by false oat-grass, a virtually singlespecies patch of the locally uncommon wood small-reed, with some birch scrub, a
botanically-rich, low-growing sward notable for an abundance of translocated
southern marsh-orchid, some sparsely vegetated areas of infertile PFA substrate and
finally, a hawthorn-dominated scrub, with bramble, much of which was already
established before 1992.
A number of common butterfly species have been recorded, some of the less
common found on the site include; small heath, common blue and large skipper
butterflies have been recorded on site.
Future Aspirations
The future for Kings Meadow lies in the continued successful management by the
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trusts staff and volunteer groups, as Chris Kennedy the
Southern Reserves Officer states “looking forward is looking back”.
It is envisaged that the size of the wild flower meadow will be increased by the
removal of some of the smaller trees and the diversity of the wild flowers will be
increased by the continued mowing regime.
In addition, some mitigation measure may need to be out into place as the new
Nottingham tram line will dissect through the entirety of Queens Meadow; however
the details of this will be determined at a later date.
Key Resources Available
Management Plan – Updated 2010 I:\Estate Management\Individual reserves\King's
Meadow\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/kings-meadow/
Key Person Interviews – Chris Kennedy, August 2013
Kirton Wood
Name: Kirton Wood
Location: Ollerton
Size: 46 hectares
Designation: SSSI, SINC
Date Acquired: 1985
Tenure: Freehold
Habitat Type: Woodland
Key Species: Twayblade orchid, Yellow archangel,
orange tip and lesser-spotted woodpecker.
History of the Site
The oldest parts of Kirton Wood have probably existed for more than two thousand
years and the woodland has altered in size and shape over the centuries. The
woodland traditionally would have been an important source of timber for the local
communities. It was first mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 as being in the
ownership of the manor of Roger de Buesli when Kirton was named Schidrinton in
Bernesedelawe, now known as Bassetlaw. Successive owners included the Earl of
Shrewsbury and John Lumley Seville. More recently the site was owned by the brickmaking division of the Butterley Mining Company, who purchased it in 1934 with the
intention of extracting clay. In 1947 it came into the possession of Coal Industry
Estates Ltd., part of the National Coal Board, who used it primarily for sporting
purposes.
The possibility of acquiring Kirton Wood was first mentioned in 1980 and this
depended on whether the British Coal would be willing to consider selling. The offer
for this site co-incided with the purchases of a number of other sites. To acquire
them, the Nottinghamshire Trust started its’ ambitious Notts.Wildlife Appeal as part of
the British Wildlife Appeal, co-ordinated by R.S.N.C. to raise funds for all the Trusts.
1984 saw the launch of a “Give a Hoot for Notts’ Wildlife”, car sticker campaign by
BBC Radio Nottingham as part of a series of broadcasts, quizzes and publicity in
support of the appeal. There was even a Radio Nottingham–sponsored “Kirton Wood
Novice’s Steeplechase” at Colwick race-course. The station’s publicity encouraged
listeners to donate £20,000 to purchase Kirton Wood. Additionally, the National
Westminster Bank made its branches available to receive donations for the appeal.
Subsequently, in the early months of 1985, Kirton Wood was successfully purchased
along with Rainworth Heath, more of the Meadows at Teversal and Ashton’s
Meadow.
The official opening took place in June 1985. A luminous orange ribbon was cut by
John Hobson, acting Manager of BBC Radio Nottingham. It was also broadcast on
radio, and concluded with the Kirton Wood song, written and sung by Reg Cooper, a
well known local folk singer.
Site Description
Kirton Wood is a semi-natural ash and wych elm wood which covers 18.6 hectares. It
was purchased by the Trust in 1985 and has been designated as a Site of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI). It lies in the Newark and Sherwood District of
Nottinghamshire, to the south of the unclassified road between the villages of Kirton
and Egmanton, some 3 miles east of Ollerton.
In common with many Nottinghamshire woods around that time, Kirton was clearfelled in the 1930s, resulting in uniformity of size of the present trees. The wood is a
fine example of an ash/wych elm wood, though much of the latter has suffered from
Dutch elm disease. It was formed on clay soils and has a rich shrub layer made up of
hazel, hawthorn, field maple, dogwood and privet. The ground flora is dominated by
bramble, honeysuckle, goosegrass and dog’s mercury, but also contains species
such as wood anemone, sweet woodruff, primrose, ramsons, yellow archangel and
early purple orchid, all of which are indicative of ancient woodland.
In 1972 Kirton Wood was described as “one of the best remaining ash-wych elm
woods in Nottinghamshire and is representative of semi-natural woodland on the clay
soils of the North Midlands” thus it was designated as an SSSI. The majority of Kirton
Wood is included in the Nottinghamshire Ancient Woodland Inventory. Additionally,
the reserve is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
Site Management
Lynda Milner, the Reserve Manager, and her volunteers have taken great strides in
the management of the wood, helped greatly by a neighbouring farmer, Tom Cupit,
who has done a superb job in clearing dead elms from the entrance.
Management objectives for the site include; enhancement of the grassland habitat on
the southern edge of the reserve, clearance of dykes and two small ponds, the
opening up of the rides, and the clearance of many of the dead elms, with replanting
of native species where necessary. Much of the wood supports damp, shady and
sheltered conditions with slowly increasing amounts of standing and fallen
deadwood. Such habitat is important for a range of locally occurring species such as
fungi, bryophytes, hole-nesting birds and bats. For this reason, deadwood habitat is
encouraged throughout the wood. Some compartments are dominated by sweet
chestnut, and therefore suitable for coppicing on a 15 to 20-year rotation. This
approach introduces structural diversity and lighter conditions, thus benefitting the
ground flora and many other species.
In general, the combination of limited intervention, small amounts of coppicing, and
appropriate cutting of grassland should ensure conservation of the flora and fauna.
However, some extra measures would be useful in the case of a few species. No
specimens of wild service or small-leaved lime should be felled or otherwise
damaged during the course of general woodland management, although some
remedial tree surgery may be necessary in order to maintain safe conditions for
those visiting and working in the wood. Spurge laurel bushes should also be retained
in their present condition.
Where it occurs on the reserve, sand leek tends to be swamped by other plants in
the summer. For this reason it would be sensible to mark the plants unobtrusively in
spring and then clear away some adjacent vegetation from time to time as it grows
up.
Key Species
The site supports a diverse flora and fauna typical of ancient woodland in lowland
England. A number of locally rare or uncommon plant species occur on the reserve,
including wild service (Sorbus torminalis) and small-leaved lime (Tilia cordata) in the
north-western half of the wood, and spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) along the
southern fringe, on the edge of the green lane. Common spotted and butterfly orchids
and twayblade occur, as do the more common bluebell, greater stitchwort and lesser
celandine.
As well as various tits and finches, chiffchaff, blackcap, garden warbler and spotted
flycatcher which are present in summer. Great and lesser-spotted woodpeckers are
also present. Sparrowhawks are regularly seen and roding woodcock can be
observed in spring. Butterflies seen on the reserve include common blue, brimstone,
orange tip, and comma and interestingly the white-letter hairstreak has also been
recorded.
Four notable species of beetle have also been found on the site – Badister sodalis is
known from fewer than 100 10km squares in Britain; Corticeus unicolor is in Red
Data Book category 3 (rare), the highest category given; Orcheria undulata and
Stenagostus villosus are both known from fewer than 10 10km squares in northern
England.
Future Aspirations
Key Resources Available
Reserve leaflet – Published by the Nottinghamshire Trust for Nature Conservation
(archive edition)
Reserve Factsheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Plan – Updated 2009 I:\Estate Management\Individual reserves\Kirton
Wood\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/kirton-wood-sssi/
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Key Person Interviews –
Lady Lee Quarry
Name: Lady Lee Quarry
Location: Worksop
Size: 2.5 hectares
Designation: SINC
Date Acquired: 1995/6
Tenure: Freehold
Habitat Type: Wetland
Key Species:
History of the Site
The name of the reserve refers to the Lee or Lea family a local family of landowners.
This family owned and gave its name to the Lady Lee Quarries and members of it still
live and work in the area. Indeed, the widowed Lady Lee herself lived near Lindrick
golf course clubhouse until her death in December of 1995.
From as early as the 17th century, quarrying has been a feature of the Magnesian
limestone on the Derbyshire-Notts border and also over into South Yorkshire. Until
around 1928, Lady Lee Quarry was part of a larger quarry complex. The main quarry
system lay to the north-west of today's nature reserve on the other side of the public
footpath. Lady Lee Quarry is still occasionally referred to by local residents as 'the
Canyon'. The stone from these extractions was used both locally and nationally.
Locally it was used for the spire of St.John's Church in Gateford Road and in the
construction of the old turnpike road between Worksop and Chesterfield.
In the years after work ceased, the quarry naturally re-colonised with grass, scrub
and trees. It was at that time a dry quarry and continued as such until about 1954-57
when water began to appear. During that period a local farmer, Mr.Kirk of Lady Lee
Farm, used the quarry for grazing cattle, making use of the building at the west end
as stabling. The National Coal Board also may have made some use of this building,
for stabling pit ponies. At some point within this period a pool formed and a spring
also appeared. The appearance of the water is believed to be due to subsidence in
this heavily mined region.
Eventually the water formed an extensive pond and marsh system, stock-grazing
was stopped and the quarry took on its present appearance. Water in the past has
dominated the fortunes of the quarry and continues to do so to this day. Since the
Trust took over and most likely well before that too, the water levels have fluctuated
dramatically, having implications for the plant and animal life on the reserve.
As all of the quarries in this complex, Lady Lee was to be filled in as part of a refuse
disposal plan. Fortunately, the Nottinghamshire’s intervention saved the quarry from
that fate. Lady Lee Quarry became a Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve in
1981, leased under an agreement with the National Coal Board. It was finally
purchased from the National Coal Board in 1995 for £500, a sum of money raised by
an Appeal by the Worksop Local Group.
Site Description
Lady Lee Quarry is approximately 2.5 hectares in size and is located just south of
Rhodesia, near Worksop, North Nottinghamshire. The site has a substantial shallow
lake which supports a rich flora including reedmace, mare's-tail, branched bur-reed,
and pink water-speedwell. In recent years woodland has developed over much of the
site and there are also small areas of grassland and marsh. A wide range if insects
and other invertebrates including slugs, snails, spiders and harvestmen have been
recorded on the site, adding to its value and interest.
Site Management
Management includes the removal of rubbish from the pond, mowing the grass in
spring and late summer, and extraction of scrub and invading bulrush to maintain
areas of open water. Boundaries have been improved by hedge laying and fencing.
Key Species
The lake is rich in animal life and hosts various dragonflies and damselflies, frogs,
toads and great-crested newts. The margins and nearby marshland support a rich
flora, including water plantain, mare’s tail, branched bur-reed, celery-leaved
buttercup and pink water-speedwell. The grassland is generally species-poor,
however, one fragment holds calcareous species such as yellow-wort, fairy flax and
cowslip. The woody scrub areas are quite diverse, with plenty of hawthorn and
smaller amounts of wych elm, ash, holly and blackthorn.
Lady Lee Quarry has been the subject of much survey work over the years and is
known to support 158 species of plant, 55 fungi, 83 birds and over 300 invertebrates.
Kingfishers are regularly seen on the reserve and little grebes are known to have
bred. Other birds recorded include blackcap, goldcrest, great crested grebe, snipe,
heron and water rail. Grass snakes are also present. One nationally rare and eight
nationally scarce species of invertebrate have been recently recorded, as well as
thirty species considered to be local in their national distribution. Many other species
of county significance are also present, including grass snake, great-crested newt,
mare's tail and pink water speedwell.
Future Aspirations
Key Resources Available
Reserve leaflet – Published by the Nottinghamshire Trust for Nature Conservation
(archive edition)
Reserve leaflet – Published by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (current edition)
Reserve Factsheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Plan – Updated 2001 I:\Estate Management\Individual reserves\Lady
Lee Quarry\Management Plan
A brief History Document in the reserve folder: I:\Estate Management\Individual
reserves\Lady Lee Quarry
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/lady-lee-quarry/
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Key Person Interviews –
Mansey Common
Name: Mansey Common
Location: Eakring
Size: 15 hectares
Designation: SSSI, SINC
Date Acquired: 1993
Tenure: Lease hold
Habitat Type: Grassland
Key Species: Harvest mouse, whitethroat
History of the Site
There is some historical documentary evidence relating to Mansey Common, dating
back to at least the end of the 13th century. A report was produced by Derek Walker
in 1982 following a detailed inspection of relevant documents. Commons are
traditionally managed by local residents who hold various rights over common land;
these people are known locally as 'toftholders'
It appears that excessive scrub cover has often been a problem for the graziers of
Mansey Common. In the late 19th century, for instance, it is likely that gorse and
other coarse vegetation gained the upper hand, because the rental value dropped at
that time. During 1948 to 1952 it is recorded that the toftholders made significant
efforts to remove scrub.
Plans to cultivate the Common were put forward on at least two occasions, but
neither came to fruition. In 1797, when the Reverend J H Browne proposed growing
barley, he referred to only 7 or 8 acres of pasture, the rest being over-run with gorse
and bushes. This plan was never started, but in 1943 villagers did begin a similarly
ambitious scheme in response to war-time demand, only to abandon it before
significant progress was made.
According to the first management plan by Alton, in 1992, grassland covered at least
50% of the site in 1940, when it dominated all but central areas. In addition, from the
same source, 1977 the wooded area had increased to about 65%, with the grassland
then occurring as a few blocks isolated from each other.
The reserve is owned by the Lord of the Manor of Eakring, Mr James Clifford and his
heirs and successors in title. A 7-year renewable management agreement between
the owner and the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT) was signed on 14 May
1993, covering Mansey Common and the nearby Penny Pasture Common another
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust reserve.
Six rights over Mansey Common were registered on 27 June 1968 and finalised on
01 October 1970 under the 1965 Commons Registration Act; in each case these
rights related to annual cattle grazing from April to Christmas at both Penny Pasture
Common and Mansey Common:
 John Edwin Glew and Douglas Wallis of Hollies Farm, Eakring – 4 beasts
 Noel William Rayworth and Frederick William Rayworth of Walnut Tree Farm,
Eakring – 4 beasts




Harry Meanley, Gladys Mary Meanley and Michael William Meanley of Rylls
Farm, Eakring (01623 870450) – 4 beasts
William Kimber Mawer of Layfields, Kneesall – 8 beasts
Wilfred Parsons of Chestnut Farm, Eakring – 12 beasts
James Wilfred (Deceased, now Robert) Howes of Coultas Farm, Kirklington – 4
beasts
An agreement was subsequently reached giving Mr Howes all the rights at Mansey
Common. In return, Mr Howes gave his rights for use of Penny Pasture Common to
the other toftholders. Mr Howes has not exercised his rights at Mansey for many
years.
Site Description
Mansey Common nature reserve is approximately 1km south-east of the village of
Eakring, Nottinghamshire. The reserve forms part of the Redgate Woods and
Mansey Common Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Mansey Common nature
reserve was designated as part of the Redgate Woods and Mansey Common SSSI
in 1972. The reserve is described as comprising of some of the best remaining
examples of broadleaved semi-natural woodland and neutral grassland in
Nottinghamshire and is representative of woodland and grassland developed on the
Midland Clays. Additionally, the reserve is a Site of Importance for Nature
Conservation (SINC), one of over a thousand in Nottinghamshire.
Mansey Common is a 15 hectare nature reserve, comprising of a mixture of coarse
grassland, scrub and woodland. Surface geology is Triassic Mercia Mudstone, which
is formerly known as Keuper Marl. There is a narrow, steeply-sided valley along the
north-western boundary and a similar tributary valley along part of the northern
boundary, but most of the site is very gently sloping.
Site Management
Documentary evidence exists showing that Mansey Common was an area of
common pasture in 1302. From then until the 1970s, this management was
maintained, although the relative remoteness and inaccessibility of the site
(compared to other commons in the parish) meant that lack of grazing was often a
problem. The resultant excessive growth of scrub and coarse grassland plants was
periodically dealt with by cutting and removal or burning.
Grazing last occurred on the Common in 1972, when scrub encroachment and
inadequate boundary fencing convinced the last grazier to take his livestock
elsewhere. At that time there were still several fairly substantial areas of botanicallyrich neutral grassland, however, by the 1990s scrub had reduced the grassland cover
drastically, pushing many of the rarer plant species to the edge of extinction.
In an attempt to improve the situation, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust removed a
large amount of hawthorn and other scrub in the mid-1990s along the south-western
edge of the site. The intention was to reintroduce grazing, and with that in mind a
permanent fence was installed along that part of the Common boundary adjacent to
the cleared area.
Key Species
The mixture of habitats still supports a variety of breeding birds, such as whitethroat,
lesser whitethroat, garden warbler, blackcap and turtle dove. Other recent vertebrate
records include common frog and common toad (breeding in the new pond) and a
large active badger sett. Of particular interest is the recent discovery of three harvest
mouse nests in the south-western grassland in winter 2001-2, following a number of
previous records. The three Nationally Scarce species recorded at Mansey Common
in 2002 are: Cheilotrichia imbuta, Sphegina elegans, and Pyropterus nigroruber.
Future Aspirations
Key Resources Available
Reserve Factsheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Plan – Updated 2004 I:\Estate Management\Individual
reserves\Mansey Common\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/mansey-common/
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Key Person Interviews –
Meden Trail
Name: Meden Trail
Location: Pleasley
Size: 8.4 Hectares
Designation: SSSI, SINC and LNR
Date Acquired: 1986
Tenure: Free and Leasehold
Habitat Type: Grassland
Key Species: Lesser-spotted woodpecker, giant
bellflower and wych elm
History of the Site
Meden Trail is a long and narrow nature reserve of 8.4ha, part of which follows the
south bank of the River Meden in Pleasley Vale, while the remainder diverges to
follow a disused railway line just south of the vale. The original railway line was laid in
1866 by the Midland Railway Company to serve local collieries, which subsequently
closed in 1965.
The site forms part of the more extensive Pleasley Trails network with a number of
paths and circular walks through the reserve. The site is part of the Pleasley Trails
Network, a 9km system of footpaths and cycle ways along disused railway lines,
jointly managed by NWT, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire County Councils, and
Mansfield, Ashfield and Bolsover District Councils. The trail area was set up in 1980
straddling the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border in Pleasley Vale.
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT) is the freehold owner of the south-eastern part
of Compartment 3, purchased in 1986 from a local farmer and now known as
Hodson's Wood. The Meden Trail reserve grew by a couple of acres with the
acquisition from a farming neighbour of “Hodson’s Wood”, which was sold to us for a
modest £500. The rest of the reserve was leased to NWT by Mansfield District
Council on 30 November 1983, for a period of 99 years, at a rent of one peppercorn
due on 01 January each year. This leased area is also a Local Nature Reserve
subject to byelaws.
Site Description
The site is aligned virtually west-east, over a distance of approximately 2 km, from
the village of Pleasley. The whole site is south of the River Meden, within Mansfield
District in Nottinghamshire. Land immediately to the north is within Bolsover District
in Derbyshire.
Meden Trail comprises three major components: a low-lying marshy area next to the
River Meden subject to mining subsidence and occasional flooding, an ancient seminatural woodland and a 2km stretch of disused railway line. The whole site is on
Lower Magnesian Limestone. The railway embankments and cuttings supports some
of the best remaining rare calcareous grassland in the county, forming part of a Site
of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Mansfield District Council designated the reserve (except for Hodson's Wood) as a
Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in the mid 1980s. LNR status applies to land of at least
local wildlife interest, and allows the local authority (which must have close
involvement through ownership or written agreement) to protect that interest through
creation of special bye-laws. LNRs are usually close to or within urban areas and
provide considerable opportunities for introducing large numbers of people to
sustainable enjoyment of the countryside.
A small part of Meden Trail was designated as part of the Pleasley Vale Railway
SSSI in 1981. The Coppice and the SSSI are both Sites of Importance for Nature
Conservation (SINCs), of which there are more than one thousand in
Nottinghamshire.
Site Management
The main aims of management are to maintain the diversity of habitats and
encourage public access whilst ensuring that the wildlife value of the site is
protected.
Since then grassland management, including the mowing of limestone and marshy
grasslands (as grazing is not feasible) and the cutting and removing of invading
scrub has been undertaken. The condition of the site has improved considerably and
it is therefore essential that these management regimes are continued and
expanded.
Management Objectives have been and continue to focus on maintenance and
enhancement of the limestone grassland, populations of species which are near the
limits of their range, or are at least locally scarce and the geological and
physiographical interest of the site. In addition, to encourage public understanding
and appreciation of the reserve's ecology, management and sustainable uses and
monitor the effects of management upon the wildlife interest of the reserve.
The Trust managed the site since 1981 initially with the help of a small Youth
Opportunities Team arranged through the Manpower Services Commission. This
team was replaced in April 1983 with a far larger and more skilled team through the
Community Programme also organised by the Manpower Services Commission.
As with most of on reserves, Meden Trail Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust has a merry
band of willing volunteers to help carry out the numerous tasks. Ian O’Brien
remembers one particular story about volunteering with NWT;
“As volunteers, we have done some interesting tasks over years for example a board
walk at Meden Trail, but the Environment Agency insisted that it was 900mm off the
ground, thus rather than your normal board walk you now have to climb a set of
stairs. The biggest problem each day we had to carry the stuff tools and wood to the
site then any wood was hidden from view at night then carry the tools home. We
found a short cut very quickly over a stream where a tree had fallen over. I managed
to nearly complete the build and fell in right near the end! I wasn’t the only one to get
a wet leg but we weren’t going the long way around.”
Key Species
The topography of the site gives rise to a wide range of habitat types, from marshy
vegetation fringing the river, through damp grassland and broad-leaved woodland, to
dry limestone grassland, scrub and the cave along the railway line. This has resulted
in a high diversity of plant and invertebrate species.
The calcareous grassland is dominated by tor-grass (Brachypodium pinnatum), red
fescue (Festuca rubra) and smooth meadow-grass (Poa pratensis). It also contains a
rich herb flora characterised by the abundance of bird's-foot trefoil (Lotus
corniculatus), wild basil (Clinopodium vulgare), zigzag clover (Trifolium medium),
greater burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella major) and hairy violet (Viola hirta). The seminatural woodland is dominated by wych elm (Ulmus glabra) and ash (Fraxinus
excelsior) while the secondary woodland has a greater proportion of oak (Quercus
robur) and downy birch (Betula pubescens). Hazel (Corylus avellana) and goat
willow (Salix caprea) are also present. The presence of the two bellflower species on
the reserve is interesting. Giant bellflower is a northern species at the southern edge
of its range while nettle-leaved bellflower is a southern species at the northern edge
of its range. The Meden Trail is one of the very few British sites which support both
bellflowers.
A wide range of common breeding birds frequent the reserve, and among the long
list of occasional visitors are kingfisher, dipper, common redstart, pied flycatcher,
hawfinch and lesserspotted woodpecker.
Water voles were recorded
on the River Meden in
2002 and in the long term it
is hoped that otters will
become re-established.
Future Aspirations
Key Resources Available
Reserve Factsheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Plan – Updated 2010 I:\Estate Management\Individual reserves\Meden
Trail\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/meden-trail-lnr-part-sssi/
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Key Person Interviews – Ruth Testa August 2013
Misson Carr
Name: Misson Carr
Location: Misson
Size: 85 heactares
Designation: SSSI, SINC
Date Acquired: 2001
Tenure: Freehold
Habitat Type: Fen
Key Species: Long-eared owl, bittern, twayblade
orchid and water vole.
History of the Site
Before being purchased by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 1937 and transformed
into Misson Training Area, Misson Carr was a sparsely wooded fenland managed
through rough grazing. The site was used as a bombing range by the RAF until
around the mid 1950s. It was then abandoned but in 1969, 610 acres of the site was
sold by auction and returned to agricultural use. 200 acres were retained by the Army
as dry training area. Much of the site became overgrown with a mixture of scrub
woodland and dense marshland vegetation making many areas impenetrable. In
1989 some areas of woodland were opened up and some drains filled in, helping to
retain water vital to the maintenance of the wetlands. In 1973 a 6-year programme of
bomb clearance began.
In 1995 the MoD closed the site as it was no longer required as a training area.
Following lengthy negotiations with Defence Estates and the Treasury, which
required the direct involvement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary
of State for Defence, the Trust completed the acquisition. Martin Suthers, a Trustee
and solicitor for the Trust played and interesting role in the acquisition of the reserve.
As well as over coming the mammoth task of converging 23 different landowers, a
chance meeting with Geoff Hoon the then Secretary of State for Defence, gave the
final push in obtaining the reserve. On a visit to Queens Medical Centre in
Nottingham City Centre, Geoff Hoon asked Martin to take him to the eye clinic for an
emergency appointment. On the way over in the car Martin took this golden
opportunity to bring the issues light regarding the reserve. A few days later the
acquisition was finalised!
In April 2001 Misson Training Area became the Misson Carr SSSI Nature Reserve
with the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT). NWT first expressed an interest in
acquiring Misson Carr in the mid 1970s, and negotiations began. Pressure from EN
resulted in a ruling by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in person, giving NWT 'first
refusal' at the 'District Valuer's Valuation'. The purchase was the culmination of an
almost thirty year campaign to safeguard the long term future of the site and was
made possible thanks to the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund and the backing of
Trust Members who responded admirably to an appeal for funds. The purchase and
establishment of Misson Carr SSSI cost in excess of £165,000, making this the
largest single acquisition in the Trust’s history. At 85 hectares in size, this is currently
the third largest NWT nature reserve.
Site Description
Previously known as the Misson Training Area, the site is situated in splendid
isolation on the Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire border 9 miles
from Doncaster. Misson Carr is part of an extensive low-lying floodplain known as the
Idle/Misson Levels. It is a valuable remnant of semi-natural habitats that is
completely surrounded by arable fields. It also has the county’s largest remaining
fragment of a fenland system that once covered much of the local landscape, but
which has been progressively lost to drainage and agriculture over the last three
hundred years.
For over 50 years, military activity has restricted public access thus protecting the
site from intensive agriculture and enabling it to develop into a fascinating wildlife
haven.
In 1997, Misson Carr was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI);
largely as a result of survey work that had identified a stunning variety of moths, with
many nationally notable species such as the red-tipped clearwing and the dentated
pug. Its designation as an SSSI ultimately proved crucial enabling the Trust to secure
the site.
Misson Carr is diverse and extensive, supporting wet willow woodland (or carr), dry
birch woodland, mature hawthorn scrub, mixed mature willow and hawthorn scrub,
tall-herb fen, damp grassland, neutral grassland, acidic grassland, coarse speciespoor grassland, reedbed and ditch habitats.
Site Management
Following a comprehensive programme of clearance and restoration, which included
the installation of stock fencing to enable the re-introduction of grazing with cattle to
the site, the nature reserve was officially opened in September 2003 as part of the
Trust’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations.
Management currently focuses on raising water levels on the reserve through greater
provision and retention of water. Improving running water and standing water habitat,
restoring and maintaining open habitats and monitoring the effects of management
upon the flora and fauna are also aims within the management plan.
Key Species
This fascinating nature reserve contains a variety of habitats including nationally rare
wet woodlands, marsh, and old grazing pastures. From the diverse range of habitats
stems a variety of different species that thrive here but is particularly noted for its
populations of moths and birds. Misson Carr boasts records of all five native species
of owl, many unusual plants such as twayblade and marsh stitchwort and creatures
including great crested newts, harvest mice and water voles, all listed in the UK
Biodiversity Action Plan. The abundance of nationally rare and scarce moth species
rank the site alongside some of the best sites in the UK.
The site is believed to be one of the best in the County for bird species and local
naturalist Derick Scott has been studying the bird population on the site for over 30
years. In 1997 Derick wrote ‘The Long-eared Owl’ published by the Hawk and Owl
Trust.
The site is home to good numbers of warblers, including garden warblers and lesser
whitethroat and other species such as bittern and golden oriole have been recorded.
Misson Carr is a very important place for birds, supporting populations of tawny owl,
woodcock, sparrowhawk, turtle dove, willow tit, marsh tit, song thrush, skylark, linnet,
reed bunting, bullfinch, grey partridge and spotted flycatcher. In addition, the reserve
also boasts 3-5 pairs of long-eared owls every year – a nationally important breeding
population.
Future Aspirations
Key Resources Available
Reserve leaflet – Published by the Nottinghamshire Trust for Nature Conservation
(archive edition)
Management Plan – Updated 2008 I:\Estate Management\Individual
reserves\Misson\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/misson-carr/
Key Person Interviews – Aran Atkinson and Martin Suthers, August 2013.
Moorbridge Pond
Name: Moorbridge Pond
Location: Bulwell
Size: 2.53 hectares
Designation: SINC
Date Acquired: 1988
Tenure: Lease hold
Habitat Type: Wetland
Key Species: Greater reedmace, reed bunting and
common lizard.
History of the Site
Moorbridge Pond is one of the few remaining wetland habitats within the City
boundary and is the last remnant of a piece of wetland alongside the River Leen
known locally as Bulwell Bogs.
The reserve has historically been greatly influenced by human activity in two major
ways. Firstly, the wetland habitat has become isolated from the rest of the floodplain
and secondly, the reserve area itself has been modified in various ways, the most
obvious being the capping of the Bull Well, a freshwater spring, in the late 1930s.
The Bull Well used to be a prominent feature on the eastern edge of Moorbridge
Pond, and supplied a small pond and a stream flowing south westwards into the
River Leen, but this was capped in the late 1930s and the stream-flow diverted into a
buried pipe to provide a neighbouring dyeworks with a reliable source of untainted
water for industrial use. The immediate pre-war period also saw the construction of
an overflow culvert at the northern end of the site allowing floodwater from the River
Leen to be diverted into the reserve. At the same time the Moorbridge Road was
built. Despite these impacts, the water levels on the reserve appear to have
remained relatively stable with limited annual fluctuation. Other human impacts on
the reserve have been fly tipping and the presence of human waste.
The reserve is owned by Nottingham City Council but has been managed by the
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust since 1988 when it became the first reserve taken on
by the then newly formed ‘Nottingham Urban Wildlife Scheme’, the urban wing of the
charity. However, despite the best efforts of the staff and volunteers, it continued to
suffer from vandalism, litter dumping and mis-use.
Site
Description
The reserve is
situated in the
Bulwell district of Nottingham and covers more than 2.5 hectares. It is managed by
the Trust under licence from Nottingham City Council. This site is of considerable
importance being one of the very few wetlands left within the city boundary. The
reserve encompasses one area; Moorbridge Pond. The site is well connected within
the wider community as it is are part of a linear network of open space and land of
conservation importance running from Mill Lakes SINC in the north to the southern
end of the Hucknall Road Linear Walkway LNR (this LNR includes Moorbridge and
Springfield Corner), taking in Bulwell Forest Golf Course SINC and the River Leen,
which is an important wildlife corridor through the City. There are large expanses of
open space both to the north east (Bestwood Country Park, including 4 SINCs) and
to the west, extending from Bulwell Hall Park LNR and SINC to Bulwell Wood SSSI.
Described as ‘a floristically rich swamp adjacent to the River Leen – of botanical and
zoological interest’ it is a designated SINC (Site of Importance for Nature
Conservation).
Moorbridge Pond is a wetland site 1.3 hectares in size of approximately neutral pH,
with steep man-made embankments on the eastern and southern sides. It has a fairly
diverse flora: the wetland is dominated by bulrush (Typha latifolia) with some lesser
pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis) and willow (Salix spp.) around the margins, while
peripheral drier land and the embankments support broadleaved woodland, scrub
and tall herb vegetation.
Site Management
The primary objective is to maintain and enhance the open water and marshland
communities. Regular management includes pond clearance and litter removal. More
recent improvements have included restoring the paths and the provision of
educational facilities for local schools.
Work carried out on the site in the last 5 years has included coppicing, litter picking,
path clearance, installing new signage and pulling Himalayan balsam. Japanese
knotweed (Fallopia japonica) was also treated for several years by the Trust and
appears to be no longer present. Fly tipping has reduced markedly since the
installation of a steel palisade fence in early 2006, and the removal of tall vegetation
from the road boundary, so the site can be seen from the road has curtailed Misuse.
Moorbridge Pond has been one of the sites used for the Wildlife in the City Project.
The project has engaged local schools and youth groups in practical management of
local urban sites. The project has been a partnership between the Nottinghamshire
Wildlife Trust and Nottingham city council.
Key
Species
Today the
main habitat
is
marshland,
dominated
by greater
reedmace and tufted sedge. Other interesting plants include skullcap, lady’s smock,
figwort and yellow flag. The marsh area is a breeding site for a wide range of birds
including reed bunting and reed warbler. The site also provides an excellent habitat
for frogs and toads whilst the drier sandy slopes are favoured by the common lizard.
The reserve has a good invertebrate fauna particularly that associated with the
wetland. Two moth-trapping sessions in the mid 1990s highlighted the presence of
two nationally local species, the most interesting being the round-winged muslin moth
(Thumatha senex). This was the first Nottinghamshire record for over 100 years, and
the first ever for the city. A subsequent invertebrate survey carried out in 2001/2
identified 4 nationally scarce fly (Diptera) species, one of which (Typhamyza
bifasciata) is specific to bulrush, and 2 nationally scarce (category B) Coleoptera
species, one of which (Notaris scirpi) is closely associated with bulrush and lesser
pond-sedge.
Future Aspirations
The site receives some volunteer activity however; future aspirations include some
more regular volunteer days at the site. In addition, the team want to replace the
existing boardwalks with recycled plastic structures, further opening up of the pond
edges and creation of more open water.
Key Resources Available
Management Plan – Updated 2011 I:\Estate Management\Individual
reserves\Moorbridge Pond\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/moorbridge-pond/
Key Person Interviews – John McMeeking July 2013
North Muskham Lake
Name: North Muskham Lake
Location: North Muskham
Size: 6 hectares
Designation:
Date Acquired: 1999
Tenure: Lease hold
Habitat Type: Wetland
Key Species: Little grebe, smew, bulrush and floating
sweet-grass.
History of the Site
As with a number of reserves in Nottinghamshire, North Muskham Lake nature
reserve was once the site for gravel extraction. The River Trent runs along the
eastern boundary and recent habitat re-creation work has taken place to restore this
area of floodplain to attract a wide range of important wildlife including snipe, reed
warbler and sand martin.
Large-scale habitat improvements have given the reserve a new lease of life. The
lake here was created from the former workings of gravel extraction and its steep
banks and deep water meant it was of little value to wildlife. Now a range of important
habitats once common in this part of the Trent Valley have been restored.
In the mid 1960s planning permission was granted for a marina on the land. Work
began, but did not advance very far. The Newark Area Local Plan was published in
the mid 1990s, and then a planning brief was produced, which stated:
"The (Newark & Sherwood) District Council believes that a more attractive scheme
could be achieved than that previously approved, retaining the water area in a largely
unaltered form as an attractive setting for new housing. Development proposals
should provide for public access, retain open views across the river, protect areas of
nature conservation interest and include extensive landscaping."
In the 1990s the land was owned by Leengate Engineering Ltd., who decided to sell
it. With the requirements of the Local Plan planning brief in mind, an outline design
for management of the lake and surrounds was prepared by East Midlands
Environmental Consultants Ltd. At this stage, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust had
expressed an interest in managing the lake as a nature reserve, providing the
developer would: (a) fenced the site; (b) provided £10,000 towards landscaping; and
(c) provided £40,000 as an endowment to provide income to pay for future
management. In 1997, a Heads of Terms document was drawn up by Leengate
Engineering Ltd and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust providing any prospective
developer with clear guidelines about what was expected of them. As a result,
Wilcon Homes purchased the land and began negotiations with Nottinghamshire
Wildlife Trust over the establishment of the nature reserve. In autumn 1999 Wilcon
Homes gave Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust the land, as well as an endowment of
£50,000 in two installments. Wilcon Homes also paid for Nottinghamshire Wildlife
Trust subscriptions for all 47 households in the associated development, for 5 years.
In return, Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust agreed to maintain the western strip of
grassland for the residents and to keep the eastern bank sufficiently clear of scrub to
allow a view of the lake.
Site Description
North Muskham Lake is a small nature reserve in east Nottinghamshire on the
eastern edge of the village of North Muskham, approximately 4km north of Newark,
in the District of Newark & Sherwood.
North Muskham Lake nature reserve is approximately 6 hectares in size. It is
dominated by a sizeable steep-sided lake that has developed from disused mineral
workings in surface deposits of alluvium and river gravels. The almost rectangularshaped lake is believed to be about 5m deep in the north-eastern and south-western
corners, elsewhere being around 3 meters.
Site Management
The main focus of the ongoing work is to develop and create wildlife-friendly areas by
landscaping and the creation of more habitat, and to increase public access
A considerable number of fish were removed from the lake a short while before it was
sold by Leengate Engineering Ltd. to Wilcon Homes in the late 1990s. Many still
remain, because insufficient time was allowed to complete the job. Pike are currently
considered to be adversely affecting breeding success of ducks, by predating young
birds.
Key Species
The lake supports a limited selection of wetland birds, including breeding mute swan,
moorhen, mallard, little grebe and sedge warbler. Tufted duck is a common yearround visitor, joined occasionally by rarer species such as wintering smew. Although
detailed surveys have not been carried out, a range of common invertebrates is
known to be present, including damselflies, dragonflies and butterflies.
Plants growing in the water or at its edges include bulrush (Typha latifolia),
amphibious bistort (Persicaria amphibia), floating sweet-grass (Glyceria fluitans),
reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea), common reed (Phragmites australis) and
creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera.
Future Aspirations
Key Resources Available
Reserve Factsheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Plan – Updated 2004 I:\Estate Management\Individual reserves\North
Muskham\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/north-muskham-lake/
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Key Person Interviews – John McMeeking, 2003 and 2013
Osmanthorpe Orchard
Name: Osmanthorpe
Location: Kirklington
Size: 0.4 hectares
Designation: SINC
Date Acquired: 1996
Tenure: Freehold
Habitat Type: Traditional Orchard
Key Species: Bramley apple, greater burnetsaxifrage and dunnock.
History of the Site
The Bramley’s Seedling variety of apple is now famous throughout the world and
regarded by many as the finest cooking apple available. This variety was first
developed locally at Halam and is now synonymous with the Southwell area. The
Bramley was first marketed in the late 1890s and whilst it is difficult to tell their exact
age, it is believed that the Bramley's here at Osmanthorpe were amongst the first to
be planted. Because of their historic links with the area and the loss of so many
orchards across the country we intend to maintain and improve the orchard in the
years to come.
The nature reserve was bequested to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust by Harold
Gordon Breedon in the 1980s, subject to a lifetime interest for Jan Brugas. Mr.
Brugas was of East European origin, arriving in this country as a 'displaced person'.
He found work with Mr. Breedon and lived on the land in question until 1998, when
he was hospitalised and then moved to a nursing home. Later the same year
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust began investigating possible options for the site, which
at that stage was still in the hands of the two H G Breedon Will Trustees. The Lay
Trustee is Mr. Arnold R Bower of Osmanthorpe Manor, while the Solicitor Trustee is
Andrew Fearn or Kevin J F Bardsley of Tallents Godfrey Solicitors.
It is understood that the Breedon family acquired Osmanthorpe Manor Farm
(including the current reserve) in the 1920s. The farmhouse complex was sold to Mr.
Bower's father in the 1960s, but Harold Breedon retained the orchard and lived there
until his death in the 1980s.
Mr. Breedon's will provided that the income from some Government stock producing
approximately £325 per annum would go to Mr. Brugas during his lifetime, but then
be payable to Notts. Wildlife Trust for five years. This latter stipulation would only
apply if the Trustees were satisfied that Notts. Wildlife Trust had complied with a
request to plant the area with trees and use it as a wildlife sanctuary. Agreement
was reached in 2000 over the proposed use of the site as a nature reserve, and
subsequently the Trustees sent Notts. Wildlife Trust solicitors a modest endowment
of £1,000. This was a commuted payment, i.e. an agreed replacement for the 5
annual payments of about £325. On 24 August 2001 Hopkins Solicitors transferred
the endowment, plus interest, to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
Site Description
Osmanthorpe Orchard nature reserve is within the parish of Edingley, immediately
west of Osmanthorpe Manor, less than one kilometre south of Kirklington village in
central Nottinghamshire. The 0.4 hectares of the nature reserve comprises grassland
on its southern edge, but elsewhere the vegetation is largely unmanaged woodland
and scrub with orchard fruit trees. There is also a small pond found on site. It is
completely surrounded by hedgerows and is narrowly triangular in shape. In addition,
the entire reserve is a Site of Important Nature Conservation, one of over a thousand
in Nottinghamshire.
Site Management
Scrub clearance, tree pruning, hedgerow management are all key elements of
maintaining and improving this site. One of the main objectives is to increase the
productivity of the orchard. A timber framed barn has been constructed to provide
shelter for educational visits. The derelict buildings will also be removed.
2013 saw the first series of courses hosted at the reserve. The courses included fruit
tree pruning, besom making, cider making, basket making, hurdle making and rustic
chair making. These courses have been lead by; Ray Lister, Alistair Hayhurst, Rob
Atkinson and Marc Richmond. In addition, some educational sessions have also
taken place on the reserve and this is hoped to be continued in the following years.
Key Species
As the name suggests, the site is primarily an orchard of apples and plums. There
are at least three varieties of plums present including; cherry plum (Prunus
cerasifera) and common plum (P. domestica). The apple species present are mostly
desert varieties and include Cox and probably James Grieve and Golden Delicious.
Other trees which grow here include the oak and silver birch and the hedgerows also
contain species such as hawthorn and blackthorn making them an ideal nesting
habitat for birds such as the dunnock, blackbird and robin.
The grassland flora is not particularly diverse, but includes plenty of false oat-grass
(Arrhenatherum elatius), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus), tufted hair-grass
(Deschampsia cespitosa), red fescue (Festuca rubra), creeping buttercup
(Ranunculus repens) and greater bird's-foot-trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus). Perhaps
the most notable herb is a scattering of greater burnet-saxifrage (Pimpinella major).
Future Aspirations
Key Resources Available
Reserve Factsheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Plan – Updated 2009 I:\Estate Management\Individual
reserves\Osmanthorpe Orchard
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/osmanthorpe/
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Ploughman Wood
Name: Ploughman Wood
Location: Lambley
Size: 32 Hectares
Designation: SINC
Date Acquired: 1996
Tenure: Freehold
Habitat Type: Woodland
Key Species: Oak, Bluebell, wood anemone, and
meadow brown
History of the Site
Formerly Hoeverley Wood, Southe Woode and Plumer Wood, the now named
Ploughman wood is a remnant of a larger area of woodland, covering over 120
hectares in 1609. However, some surviving documentation records the wood in the
13th century giving it ancient status.
Ploughman Wood had been a part of the Prison Service Estate surrounding
Lowdham Grange Borstal since the 1930’s. When the borstal was closed and the
estate offered for development a few years previously, the Nottinghamshire Wildlife
Trust persuaded the Prison Service and Newark and Sherwood District Council that
the woodland should be treated separately and actually made a bid to purchase it.
Subsequently, the Prison Service decided to plan a new prison on the site and the
contract was awarded to Lowdham Grange Prison Services Ltd. As one of the
planning conditions, Newark and Sherwood required permanent protection and
management for Ploughman Wood. In 1996, Ploughman Wood was donated to the
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust as part of a 106 planning agreement. In addition,
Lowdham Grange Prison Service Ltd provided funds of around £50/60, 000 to
support the Trust’s future management of the wood, which included caring for a
further nine aces of woodland which was to be planted to strengthen the landscape
impact.
Site Description
The woodland is situated on the east-west ridge that runs between Lambley and
Woodborough and is under the jurisdiction of Newark and Sherwood District Council.
The parish boundary with Woodborough runs along the whole of the north side of the
wood, and the parish boundary with Lambley runs along the western side.
The site is mainly a mature oak and ash woodland with an under storey including
hazel, holly, field maple and re-generating elm. It also features a considerable
number of magnificent beeches. This mix of tree species provides an excellent range
of habitats for wildlife. 32 hectares in size, this ancient woodland forms an
outstanding landscape feature on the escarpment overlooking the Dover Beck Valley
from Epperstone to Oxton.
One of the most important features of the wood is the presence of substantial
quantities of dead wood. This provides excellent habitat for a wide range of flora and
fauna, including bracket fungi, beetles, bats and hole-nesting birds. Over 280 species
of invertebrates have been recorded so far.
The reserve is a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), one of over a
thousand in Nottinghamshire, satisfying criteria agreed between relevant
conservation organisations and the County Biological Records Centre.
Site Management
The Trust has been working to enhance the wildlife value of the site by a combination
of limited intervention, restoration of traditional coppicing and removal of non-native
trees. Limited intervention increases the amount of valuable deadwood habitat
across the site. Coppice rotation was re-established as a management tool in 2011.
Coppicing provides conditions favoured by a different set of species. Furthermore,
stand in different stages of coppice rotation provides a variety of habitat conditions to
sustain a diverse amount of wildlife. The coppiced timber is then dried out for a year
and then used to produce charcoal providing a sustainable source of timber products
and revenue. Removal of non-native trees such as Corsican pine, European larch
and sycamore will helps restore a more natural balance of tree species, including
aspen and oak.
In addition to the woodland management, a pond has been excavated on the
southern side of the wood and a new meadow area was created in 1998. These
areas will provide habitats for an even greater diversity of wildlife, particularly
dragonflies, damselflies and other insects.
Key Species
There are many plant species typical of those found in ancient woodlands found in
Ploughman Wood, such as yellow archangel, wood anemone and wood melick. The
northern part of the wood is carpeted with bluebells in the spring, and honeysuckle
occurs throughout the wood, climbing through trees and shrubs.
The variety of habitat types supports an array of species both common and of county
importance. Of note is the record of the Maple Pug moth, which is only the third time
this species has been recorded in the county. Records of several other plant and
animal groups have been made since the acquisition including; birds, vascular plants,
bryophytes, fungi, butterflies, mammals and amphibians.
Future Aspirations
As with many of the Trusts reserves, the primary future aims are to manage and
maintain the site in its present condition following the designed future management
plan. In addition, improving connectivity with other sites and areas of similar habitats
within the surrounding areas is also a focus for this site and many others.
Key Resources Available
Management Plan – Updated 1999I:\Estate Management\Individual
reserves\Ploughman Wood\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/ploughman-wood
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Key Person Interviews – John McMeeking, Charles Langtree July 2013 and Martin
Suthers August 2013
Quarry Holes Plantation
Name: Quarry Holes Plantation
Location: Cinderhill
Size: 2.2 Hectares
Designation: N/A
Date Acquired: 1987
Tenure: Lease
Habitat Type: Woodland
Key Species: Hawthorn, red campion, song thrush
and red admiral.
History of the Site
Previously, as the name suggests, Quarry Holes was a limestone quarry in use from
the fifteenth century until around 1880. Stone from the quarry was used as a source
of local building material and, notably, to repair Trent Bridge in 1458. Following the
quarry’s closure, natural colonisation and subsequent vegetation succession have
resulted in the mixed woodland that dominates the site today. While there are no rock
outcrops visible today, the site is of geological significance in being one of the most
southerly areas of Cadeby Formation rocks.
This 2.3 hectare urban reserve is mixed woodland with areas of grassland and scrub.
The site is located in Cinderhill, in the north-west of the City of Nottingham. Owned
by Nottingham City Council (NCC), the reserve has been managed under license by
the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust since 1987.
Site Description
Present vegetation cover owes much too natural colonisation, although there has
been some planting of native trees and shrubs and sowing of grassland vegetation in
recent years. Sycamore dominates the woodland, but the canopy also contains ash
and wych elm. The understory comprises mainly of hawthorn, elder, privet,
blackthorn, ash and sycamore. Gooseberry is prominent on the woodland floor,
alongside species such as dog's mercury, wild arum, wood avens, celandine and red
campion. The northern patch of grassland is currently unmanaged but supports a
moderately diverse sward, including yellow oat-grass, Yorkshire fog, cat's-ear, marsh
thistle and common knapweed. The eastern end of the site supports coarse
grassland communities dominated by false oat grass and cocksfoot, with a variety of
herbs including field scabious, lesser trefoil, comfrey and yarrow.
The reserve is well used by the local community for a number of recreational
activities such as dog walking. The site provides a green space amidst a rather urban
environment. In addition, some local children use the site to engage with nature and
their local surroundings, partaking in activities such as collecting leaves and looking
for insects.
Site Management
Management of the woodland includes sycamore control while encouraging the
existing native trees. The grassland is cut annually and a number of wildflowers
recorded in the past have been reintroduced. Some bulbs and yellow rattle have
been planted in conjunction with grass cutting, to reduce the dominance of grasses.
Unfortunately the site suffers from anti-social behaviour such as setting of fires. The
most notable problem is extensive fly-tipping by local industry and householders,
therefore, a large proportion of the site management involves people management to
reduce the anti-social behaviour.
Key Species
More than 80 flowering plants have been recorded including seven tree and shrub
species and twelve grasses and sedges. The woodland is dominated by ash and
sycamore with hazel, rowan, elder and hawthorn. Herb species include lords and
ladies, wood avens, dog’s mercury, red campion and weld. Birds in the wood include
willow tit, wren, greenfinch, bullfinch and song thrush. The site also boasts many of
the common butterfly species such as red admiral, comma, speckled wood and
meadow brown.
Future Aspirations
The future for this site lies primary in the management of the reserve. It is envisaged
that more responsible use of the site will increase through the promotion of such by
NWT staff. Improved community engagement also ties into this by encouraging more
children, young adults and adults uses to become involved in the volunteer work
parties and one of the Wildlife in the City events.
Key Resources Available
Reserve Factsheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Brief – I:\Estate Management\Individual reserves\Quarry
Holes\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/quarry-holes-plantation/
Key Person Interviews – Ruth Testa, John McMeeking July 2013
Rainworth Heath
Name: Rainworth Heath
Location: Mansfield
Size: 16 hectares
Designation: SSSI
Date Acquired: 1985 and 1987
Tenure: Freehold
Habitat Type: Heathland
Key Species: Small elephant hawk-moth,
green woodpecker and common lizard.
History of the Site
Lowland heath was once common on the sandstone areas of Nottinghamshire, and
much of Sherwood Forest was once covered in heathland. Most of this has now been
lost to agriculture and forestry. Rainworth Heath is one of the last remaining areas of
heathland in Nottinghamshire. This site is practically notable as it has areas of both
dry and wet heath. Wet heath is now extremely scarce in the County.
The reserve is owned by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT), having been
purchased in three blocks, two in 1985 and one in 1987. The site was offered to the
Trust in 1985 (BY) and contracts were exchanged for just £2,000.
Site Description
The Heath lies between Rainworth village and Rufford Colliery and is one of the best
remaining sites of the old Sherwood Forest Heaths. This site covers over 16 hectares
and is particularly notable as it includes areas of both wet and dry heath. As
heathland is now very scarce in the UK, Rainworth Heath has been designated as a
Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Although it has SSSI designation the site
has endured bracken invasion and from much human use – especially by humans on
motor-bikes. IN addition, Rainworth Heath nature reserve is part of a Site of
Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).
The wettest locations are characterised by peaty pools fringed with sphagnum moss
and bulbous rush which occur where water emerges from the Sherwood Sandstone.
These areas are dominated by plants such as purple moor-grass, cross-leaved
heath, common sedge and cotton grass, while well-trodden paths support heath rush.
The drier heathland includes species such as heather, bell heather, bracken, wavy
hair-grass sheep’s sorrel and mat grass. Higher ground to the east of the site holds
stands of broom and gorse, and the western edge of the reserve has developing
birch woodland.
Site Management
The aim is to conserve the plant communities’ characteristic of lowland heath by
appropriate management, including re-establishment of heather, control of bracken
and scrub and grazing. For much of the year the site is home to a number of
Hebridean sheep from the Trust’s flying flock.
Lack of habitat management had resulted in the replacement of much of the
botanically-rich heath with scrub and bracken. Also, anti-social behaviour was rife
and manifested particularly by use of the reserve as an unofficial motorcycle
racetrack and dumping ground for stolen vehicles. Since that time, NWT has made
determined efforts to improve matters through: fencing of grazing units, separated
from each other by pathways; introduction of Hebridean sheep; spraying and rolling
of bracken; and cutting and herbicide treatment of scrub/trees. Vandalism is now
under control, following liaison with police, visitors and interest groups. However,
there is no realistic prospect of moving towards a single boundary fence, because
this could lead to a resurgence of uncontrolled motorcycle use.
Lowland heath is a valuable semi-natural habitat type which owes its existence to
centuries of human intervention in the form of rough grazing, burning, peat removal,
bracken cutting, etc. Very little management occurred in the twentieth century and
this has allowed birch and bracken, in particular, to spread. The return to grazing
and control of scrub and bracken will help to redress the balance. Experimental
heather regeneration work has been carried out on site. The technique, which
involves laying seed-bearing heather cuttings on bare sandy soil and covering them
with birch branches to provide a micro-climate for germination, may soon be used on
a number of other sites.
Key Species
Past management practices and variations in topography, soils and hydrology have
led to the development of a diverse mosaic of habitats, which is correspondingly
diverse in its flora and fauna.
The reserve is rich in invertebrates, 17 species of hoverfly, 3 of which are of county
importance, as well as 60 species of arachnid, of which 13 are of local importance
and another 4 of county importance have been recorded on site.
Two moth survey evenings have been held at Rainworth Heath. These surveys
revealed the presence of four significant moth species, namely grass wave, clouded
buff, small elephant hawk-moth and beautiful brocade. Birds recorded include green
woodpecker, tree pipit, turtle dove and several species of warbler. Both woodlark and
nightjar have been present in recent years, but neither is likely to have bred. In
addition, common lizards have also been seen on the reserve.
Future Aspirations
Key Resources Available
Reserve Factsheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Plan – Updated 2008 I:\Estate Management\Individual
reserves\Rainworth Heath\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/rainworth-heath-sssi/
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Key Person Interviews –
Reed Pond
Name: Reed Pond
Location: Lambley
Size: 1.8 hectares
Designation: None
Date Acquired: 1993
Tenure: Freehold
Habitat Type: Wetland
Key Species: Greater pond sedge, reed bunting,
chimney sweeper moth and grey squirrel.
History of the Site
Documentary evidence of the existence and use of Reed Pond dates back to the mid
15th century. It is thought that the original Reed Pond was a stew pond, providing fish
for a nearby rectory. The outline of the pond is marked on the 1609 Sherwood Forest
map, and the name Reed Pond was in existence by the time of the Tithe Award Map
of 1841. The pond had disappeared either naturally or deliberately sometime before
the rectory was demolished, however, in 1974 renovation work by the then owners,
Mr. and Mrs. A E Burks, restored the water supply and pond. When Mr. Burks
bought the land there was just a damp depression in the meadow. In iinitial
attempts to flood the depression Mr. Burks tried to block the many drains that
exist buried under the meadow, but without success. Then, a six foot deep trench
was dug in an arc round the southern side of the pond which was then lined with
heavy polythene and back-filled. Flooding occurred immediately with aquatic
vegetation developingg within 18 months. Following this mining subsidence then
enlarged the pond considerably.
The reserve has been owned and managed by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (NWT)
since 1993, when it was donated by Deed of Gift by Mr. and Mrs. A E Burks of Reed
Pond House.
Site Description
Reed Pond, Lambley Nature Reserve is approximately 2.5km north-east of
Nottingham on the eastern edge of Lambley village. The site comprises of 1.5
hectare of semi-improved neutral grassland and wetland, surrounding a 0.3hectare
spring-fed pond. Over the years emergent vegetation has developed well around the
pond with greater pond sedge, hard rush, water mint, Norfolk reed and greater
reedmace. Submerged vegetation, however, has not managed to become
established, largely as a result of the resident water fowl population which includes
mallard, coot, moorhen and varieties of farmyard duck. As a consequence of the lack
of aquatic plants the range of freshwater invertebrates is limited, being mainly
confined to detritus feeders such as water boatmen.
The meadow is largely unimproved grassland with a number of grass species and
plants including crested dog's tail, meadow barley, Timothy grass, meadow cranesbill, buttercup, red and white clovers, greater stitchwort, meadow vetchling and
yarrow. Other ruderal species found along the western side include stinging nettle,
dock, lesser burdock and chickweed. Grazing of the meadow historically has been
intermittent using horses, donkeys and sheep. It went un-grazed until 1995 when
Hereford cattle were introduced.
Site Management
The current grassland habitat at Reed Pond appears to have been greatly influenced
by a single act of unfavourable management, namely the spreading of spoil over
much of the field following re-excavation of the pond in 1977. Before this, the sward
was known to be species-rich – a result of many decades of low intensity, traditional
agricultural management. Inadequate grazing in the late 70s, 80s and early 90s is
likely to have exacerbated the decline in wildlife value of the site instigated by the
spoil dumping.
The Wildlife Trust aims to continue the grazing regime in order to re-establish the
diversity of the meadow and other work to realise the wildlife potential of the pond
and surrounding wetland habitat. Lack of grazing had allowed development of rank
vegetation and the meadow had become dominated by nettle, cow parsley, thistle
and greater willowherb. Grazing by the Hereford cattle has been extremely
successful in controlling the dominant vegetation, but it will take some years of
continued grazing before the diversity of the meadow is re-established. The pond too,
requires considerable work. At present it lacks submerged vegetation and therefore
the pond, for its size, has very few freshwater invertebrate species.
Key Species
The flora and fauna of the site is only moderately diverse, however, the site is being
managed to improve the biodiversity.
Whitethroat, reed bunting, moorhen, mallard and tufted duck breed on the reserve,
as do limited numbers of dragonflies (including broad-bodied chaser) and
damselflies. A diverse range of butterflies have been recorded, including speckled
wood The chimney sweeper moth has been recently recorded, whose larvae feed on
pignut. Water voles were regularly seen in 1988, but not since, although the species
has been seen more recently nearby. Badgers visit occasionally from a sett located
to the east along the Cocker Beck. Fox, mole, common shrew, and grey squirrel are
regularly recorded on site.
Future Aspirations
Reed Pond was a welcome addition to the list of Trust reserves and has a good
potential for increasing its wildlife value with sympathetic management. As with many
of the other reserves the future for Reed Pond lies within its on-going management to
promote biodiversity and encourage wildlife.
Key Resources Available
Reserve Fact sheet – Paper copy in the archive reserve folder
Management Plan – Updated 2007 I:\Estate Management\Individual reserves\Reed
Pond\Management Plan
Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust website, reserve information:
http://www.nottinghamshirewildlife.org/nature-reserves/reed-pond/
NWT History Handbook – July 2008 by Ainslie Carruthers
Key Person Interviews –