Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

Reserves in Nottinghamshire

The map shows the distribution of the reserves throughout the whole of the County.

Our Local Reserves are:-

Dyscarr Wood

Lady Lee Quarry

If you would like further details about the reserves, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of any of the sites, please call the Notts Wildlife Trust Office on 0115 958 8242

DYSCARR WOOD NATURE RESERVE

Introduction

Dyscarr Wood is a semi-natural ash/wych elm wood with some areas of scrub and marsh. It is situated on the Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire border, west of Langold, and covers 17 hectares

About the reserve

Most of the reserve is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), and some of it is designated as a Local Nature Reserve. Approximately half of the site is owned by the Trust, the remainder is managed on behalf of Bassetlaw District Council, which in turn leases the wood, as a nature reserve, from British Coal.

The reserve is a fine example of ash/wych elm woodland developed on Magnesian Limestone soil. Much of the wych elm has been affected by Dutch Elm Disease and other trees include birch, sycamore and oak. The shrub layer contains abundant hazel and hawthorn together with field maple, dogwood, privet and blackthorn. In wetter areas alder and crack willow are common. The wood contains a number of plants which indicate its ancient origins. These include sweet woodruff, ramsons, yellow archangel and wood melick. Species such as dog’s mercury, enchanter’s nightshade, hedge woundwort and sanicle can also be found. Some areas contain twayblade, broad-leaved helleborine, primrose, early purple orchid, wood anemone and common spotted orchid.

About 50 species of birds have been recorded, including green, greater spotted and lesser spotted woodpeckers, sparrowhawk, little owl and tawny owl. Winter visitors such as brambling and fieldfare and in summer spotted flycatcher and blackcap can be seen. Hawfinch and woodcock have also been recorded. The small glades adjoining the marshy area are excellent for butterflies. Fourteen species have been seen on the reserve, including small copper, brimstone, orange tip and migrants such as red admiral and painted lady. Grass snakes are present. The Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire county boundary ditch and bank system is also an interesting feature.

Conservation management

The Trust aims to conserve and enhance the range of species and their habitats and to safeguard their future. Management includes path maintenance and traditional woodland management using techniques such as coppicing. The reduction of problems such as vandalism and littering is a priority. Visitors should e encouraged to keep to the footpaths and unauthorised horse riding is not allowed.

How to get there

The reserve is on the Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire county border west of Langold. The entrance (Grid Ref. SK 581868) is on the southern edge of the reserve leading to Church St. (opposite Langold Park entrance), from where paths lead through most parts of the wood.

LADY LEE QUARRY NATURE RESERVE

Introduction

This 2.4 hectare site is a disused flooded quarry which was purchased from British Coal Corporation in 1995.

About the reserve

The site is located on a strip of magnesian limestone, which was quarried from as early as the 17^th century until the 1920’s. Since then the site has naturally become partially flooded to form a large shallow lake with well vegetated margins and several small islands. The other major habitat is woodland, as well as smaller areas of dry grassland and marsh. Impressive limestone outcrops around the edge of the quarry are of significant geological interest.

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, but one tiny 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 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.

Conservation 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.

How to Get There

The reserve (Grid ref. SK 563797) is reached via a narrow road and public bridleway from the end of Haggonfields Lane (near the primary school) in Rhodesia. The reserve is open to the public.