About the reserve

The Trust’s reserve is a small part of a much larger planted ancient woodland site.

The pool used to lie within a mature plantation of Scots Pine and European Larch, interspersed with Oak, Silver Birch, and Alder, with a shrub layer dominated by Rhododendron. Over the last 35 years, the conifer trees and Rhododendron have been cleared to let in light, and promote the natural regeneration of native broadleaved tree seedlings.

The site is centred on a pond, which occupies about one third of the reserve area. It is fed by a stream, which enters the pool on the eastern side, and has an outflow in the western bank. The aquatic vegetation is dominated by Flote-grass, and rush species line the margins. The eastern side of the pool has silted up and supports an area of Sphagnum bog, with a small developing area of Alder/Sallow carr.

The principle interest of the site is amphibians breeding in spring, and the resident bird life, such as Wren, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Siskin and Robin.