The favourite habitat of the rare dormouse is found along Ffordd y Wagen which includes hazel, bramble and tangles of honeysuckle. It spends most of its time above ground in the canopy. In late summer the rare white-letter hairstreak butterfly can be seen above the canopy with its jerky flight. The foodplant of the caterpillar are the elm trees that grow here. Listen out for the woodland dawn chorus of goldfinch, greenfinch, song thrush, blackbird and robin. Evening birdsong is almost as good. Many ferns grow here adding a green luxuriance. Look out for soft shield fern, hart`s-tongue fern and male fern. The area is also a stronghold for the all-yellow brimstone butterfly as its alder buckthorn foodplant is common here, upon which its caterpillars feed. The area of reed surrounding the pond provides shelter especially during the breeding season. Look out for mute swan, mallard, tufted duck, little grebe, great crested grebe, coot and moorhen. Water rail, pochard, shoveler and gadwall are all winter visitors.

Grid Reference: SN475008

Phone: Reserves Ranger on 01554 772368

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