NOTTINGHAMSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST
ACCESS : The reserve is just off the B680 between Ruddington and Wilford. If travelling towards Ruddington turn onto the farm track on the right just before Ring Road Bridge. There is limited parking space so please leave road gate clear. Follow the track the reserve entrance is on the left past wooded area.
DESCRIPTION
Situated on the outskirts of Nottingham between Ruddington and Wilford, this interesting abandoned railway cutting contains a wide variety of habitats and covers approximately 20 acres. In 1976 the site was threatened with in-fill from household waste, but following a vigorous campaign permission was refused in 1979. The site is now managed under a 99-year lease from Rushcliffe District Council and was designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1980 and designated as a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in 1983.
The reserve is a wide artificial valley half a mile long. It was dug in 1895 through Mercia Mudstone as part of the construction of the Great Central Railway. Habitats include neutral grassland, limestone track bed, acid fen and scrub woodland. The reserve is one of the best wildflower sites in Notts (over 230 species recorded)
Grassland plants include large numbers of meadow saxifrage, green winged orchid, cypress spurge, great burnet, wild carrot and eyebright (all are rare in the County). Also found are cowslips, yellow wort, common centuary, St John's wort, ox eye daisy, yellow rattle, knapweed, great burnet, field forget me knot and white/dog violet. Small colonies of bee orchid and twayblade also exist.
The wetland areas have declined markedly since the 1980's. but a newly cleared marsh area has increased numbers of cuckoo flower, ragged robin and water figwort. A population of southern marsh orchids still flourishes around the site, as does hemp agrimony despite the decline in water levels. Open water is only found in winter months.
The Birch lined lined track along the lower meadow
There are a wide variety of grasses, sedges and rushes (60+ recorded). The location also contains a range of trees (30 species) from hawthorn to oak, as well as many species of fungi, mosses and lichens. Some 20 species of butterfly have been recorded. Most common are gatekeeper, meadow brown, ringlet, small skipper, peacock and speckled wood. In one evening a moth survey recorded over 80 species. It is also possible to see six spot burnet and cinnibar moths flying during the day.
Foxes are frequently seen, as are rabbits and squirrels. A range of birds (91 varieties recorded) pass through the site during the year including sparrowhawk, owls and green woodpecker. Various tits and wagtails, as well as common garden birds such as thrush, blackbirds and wrens make up the local population.
The site has been widely surveyed over the years, with records and maps going back to 1976. This provides useful information about the management of the site and helps us to plan for the future.
CONSERVATION AIMS/PROBLEMS
Maintaining the grassland and open marsh is the priority. The grassland areas are managed by scrub control, burning and mowing. The track bed and open marsh areas are maintained through scrub control and sedge cutting. A substantial area of woodland will always be retained. Volunteers play a vital role in maintaining the site under the guidance of the local Reserve manager. Regular Work Parties take place on the 1st Saturday of each month, starting at 2pm. New volunteers are always welcome.
CONTACT : If you would like further details about the reserve, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of the site, please call the local Reserve Manager, Gordon Dyne on 01 15 9843934 or contact the Wildlife Trust Office.