Descrição
The area includes a large array of wildfowl & song birds ranging from Frango-d'água to Felosa-musical. The largest of the 3 ponds, on the south side, houses one of the largest reed beds in Derbyshire along with a scrape where rare wintering birds can be seen such as Narceja-comum. A hide is located on the East bank of the pond offering great viewing (with a scope or good binoculars) of the scrape and edge of the reed bed. In the summer months the reeds all around the 2 largest ponds are littered with Felosa-dos-juncos and rouxinol-dos-caniços, and are quite habituated thanks to the somewhat heavy footfall around the waters edge from walkers & anglers.
The site hosts a generous number of at least 7 species of Warbler in the Spring & Summer months; The aforementioned Sedge, Reed Warbler & Willow, along with; Toutinegra-de-barrette-preto, Felosa-comum Rouxinol-bravo & Felosa-das-figueiras.
Mergulhão-de-crista can be seen displaying on Pond 1 & 2
The woodland to the East of the ponds offers a completely different habitat where Gaio-comum can be seen and heard along with all the regular woodland birds. Gravel paths cut through the woodland making for excellent access for wheelchair/mobility scooter users. If you are on foot there are a few single track paths through the woods which bring you deeper into them where there are less people.
There is a large meadow rising above the 2nd pond which is not mown, quite possibly ideal habitat for coruja-da-igreja / coruja-das-torres but I personally have not had a sighting.
Most of the area is flat with only gentle rising paths however a few areas are quite steep to get up/down.
Further North from the meadow there is a Plantation on what used to be the old Slag Heap from when the area was part of Williamthorpe Colliery. This is a good area to walk through the trees but take care as a purpose built bike trail runs through this area.
Detalhes
Acesso
There is a car park to the North, on Mansfield Road, S42 5NR. You can also park on the roadside on Park Road between the Magnavale factory & the Rick Bestwick (Map Reference 53.192101, -1.355229) and walk down past the Water Treatment Plant.
Terreno e Habitat
Campina , Terras húmidas , Floresta , Camas de junco , LamaçaisCondições
Plano , MontanhosoCaminho circular
Simé útil um telescópio?
Pode ser útilBoa temporada de observação de aves
Durante todo o anoMelhor hora para visitar
Migração da primavera , InvernoRota
Caminho largoCaminho dificil
FácilAcessível por
Pé , Bicicleta , Carro , Cadeira de rodasAbrigo/plataforma deobservação de aves
SimInformação extra
The bird hide on the east shore of the large pond is locked but access can be gained by contacting the local council, however, there is a wooden hide to the side which can be used to peer over. There is plenty of seating situated around the reserve but no formal picnic tables. Most fishing pegs are new as of 2021 & are low to the water meaning getting to eye level if you are trying to photograph the wildfowl is easy.


