Reserves and species

Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Swift Valley Nature Reserve

This reserve is a grassland with a pronounced ridge and furrow character. There are hedgerows, woodland and wetland adjacent to the River Swift and a disused canal.
With traditional pasture, small woods, hedges and landscaped wetlands the reserve invites lots of wildlife to make its home here. The River Swift runs alongside with two pools, a marshy floodplain and a disused arm of the Oxford Canal add further interest.
History of the reserve

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
24.00
Short Description: 
A charming reserve surprisingly tucked away in old countryside, on the outskirts of Rugby
Location
Address: 
Just north of the centre of Rugby, access from A426 Leicester Road, take Lower Lodge Lane then follow Brownsover Lane.
Town: 
Rugby
County: 
Warwickshire
Postcode: 
CV21 1HU
Grid ref: 
SP 505 775
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Reserve is relatively flat. Some surfaced paths.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Large car park at reserve off Brownsover Road
Walking information: 
Relatively flat, access via kissing gate, soft patches
Grazing animals?: 
0
Grazing animals: 
Yes: April to November
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Swift Valley old canal
Species: 
Hobby
Lapwing
Coot
Southern hawker
Red-eyed Damselfly
Mute Swan
Holly Blue
Smooth Newt
Common Frog
Common Toad
Kestrel
Buzzard
Moorhen
Badger
Red Fox
Yellow Water-lily
Celery-leaved Buttercup
Meadowsweet
Water Figwort
Skullcap
Meadow Crane's-bill
Musk Mallow
Sparrowhawk
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Ryton Wood

History of Ryton Wood

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
84.80
Short Description: 
One of the country's largest surviving semi-natural ancient woodland
Location
Address: 
1.5km south of Ryton on Dunsmore
Town: 
Coventry
County: 
Warwickshire
Postcode: 
CV8 3EP
Grid ref: 
SP 386 728
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Access: 
No
Access info: 
Various paths around the reserve, muddy in places. Visitors are advised to keep to waymarked tracks to avoid getting lost.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Members' car park through the padlocked gate on track off A423 Oxford Road or Ryton Country Park off Leamington Road
Walking information: 
Visitors are asked to keep to waymarked walks to avoid becoming lost. Relatively flat, some wet and muddy stretches
Grazing animals: 
No
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Ryton Woods
Species: 
Honeysuckle
White Admiral
Great Crested Newt
Little Owl
Cuckoo
Stoat
Weasel
Small-leaved Lime
Field Maple
Guelder-rose
Muntjac Deer
Bluebell
Primrose
Wood Anemone
Yellow Archangel
Smooth Newt
Common Frog
Common Toad
Grass Snake
Cuckoo
Badger
Red Fox
Common Spotted orchid
Purple Emperor
Broad-leaved Helleborine
Devil's-bit Scabious
Silver-washed Fritillary
Purple Hairstreak
Buzzard
Sparrowhawk
Best time to visit
Start: 
January
End: 
December
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

River Arrow

River Arrow reserve is a large area of grassland with a small area of woodland plus ponds and the river. It is valuable for locally rare small teasel and kingfishers.
 
What's it like to visit?
You may spot chub and pike in the river with its pebbly shores for hemlock, feeding grey wagtails and several regionally scarce beetles. 
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
3.00
Short Description: 
A small site with a mosaic of habitats
Location
Address: 
Ragley Mill Lane
Town: 
Alcester
County: 
Warwickshire
Postcode: 
B49 5DU
Grid ref: 
SP 086 581
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access info: 
Contact the Trust for accessibility information.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Parking on Ragley Mill Lane
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
River Arrow Nature Reserve
Species: 
Small Teasel
Chub
Pike
Kingfisher
Slow-worm
Moorhen
Grey Wagtail
Small Teasel
Purple-loosestrife
Grass Snake
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Whitacre Heath

The Tame Valley

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
44.00
Short Description: 
Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Whitacre Heath Nature Reserve is 44 hectares of pools, woodland and wet grassland formed as a result of old sand and gravel workings.
Location
Address: 
3 miles north of Coleshill, 0.5km south east of Lea Marston
Town: 
Tamworth
County: 
Warwickshire
Postcode: 
B46 2EH
Grid ref: 
SP 209 931
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Café / Refreshments: 
No
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times. Car park for members only. Use the code given in your membership pack.
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
Members Only
Access info: 
Car parking available: contact the Trust for access information.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Reserve car park off the Lea Marston to Whitacre Heath Road
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Species: 
Kingfisher
Stoat
Emerald damselfly
Lapwing
Red Campion
Little Grebe
Snipe
Stoat
Grass Snake
Lesser spotted woodpecker
Common Spotted orchid
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Tysoe Island

A small area of meadow and woodland on the edge of the village

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
0.40
Short Description: 
Meadow and woodland
Location
Address: 
Shipston Road, Upper Tysoe
Town: 
Upper Tysoe
County: 
Warwickshire
Grid ref: 
SP 333 435
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access: 
Members Only
Access info: 
Contact the Trust for access information
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park in the village
Grazing animals: 
No
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Stonebridge Meadows

This Local Nature Reserve occupies a southerly aspect within the Sowe Valley and joins the neighbouring reserves of Stoke Floods and Wyken Slough in forming a vital part of the Sowe Valley ‘Green Corridor’.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
7.70
Short Description: 
Pasture and woodland with areas of acidic grassland, unusual in Warwickshire
Location
Address: 
On the southern edge of Coventry, situated off the A45 Stonebridge Highway
Town: 
Coventry
County: 
Warwickshire
Postcode: 
CV3 4EJ
Grid ref: 
SP 348 756
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access: 
No
Access info: 
The reserve is accessed through informal paths which can become wet and difficult.
Parking: 
No
Parking info: 
Please park locally and walk to the entrance
Walking information: 
Informal paths can become wet and muddy. Gently slopes, some floods in winter.
Grazing animals?: 
0
Grazing animals: 
Seasonal livestock
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Species: 
Noctule Bat
Brown Long-eared Bat
Fieldfare
Redwing
Song Thrush
Buzzard
Bluebell
Alder
Marsh-marigold
Harebell
Lesser Spearwort
Skullcap
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Stoke Floods

The reserve’s prominent feature is the large pool, created through mining subsidence, that now attracts over 90 species of birds, many of which breed here including grebes, warblers and water rail. The lake is vital for overwintering birds and is a regular haunt for tufted duck, shoveler and snipe.
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
7.70
Short Description: 
A reserve noted for its wetland plants and birdlife
Location
Address: 
Mayflower Drive
Town: 
Coventry
County: 
Warwickshire
Postcode: 
CV2 5NR
Grid ref: 
SP 370 785
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs under effective control
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
The reserve is generally flat and accessible for most. In winter parts of the reserve can flood.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Limited parking. Please park sensibly on housing estate and avoid blocking driveways or footpaths.
Walking information: 
Relatively flat, soft patches; parts of the site flood in winter
Grazing animals: 
No
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Species: 
Tufted Duck
Kingfisher
Water Rail
Snipe
Shoveler
Yellow Iris
Meadow Crane's-bill
Purple-loosestrife
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Stockton Cutting and Tasker's Meadow

This site contains Taskers Meadow and a steep sided disused railway cutting through lias limestone. 
 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
5.50
Short Description: 
A meadow and disused railway cutting
Location
Address: 
1km north of Stockton
Town: 
Stockton
County: 
Warwickshire
Postcode: 
CV23 8HQ
Grid ref: 
SP 437 651
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
The reserve is generally flat and accessible for most. Some areas become steep and in poor conditions can be difficult to walk. Contact the Trust for more information.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
There is some parking off Calias Lane off the A426, on the opposite side of the road to the main gate.
Walking information: 
Generally flat but with some steep, sloped areas with steps, muddy in winter. Stile at entrance
Grazing animals: 
Cattle likely from end Jul - Oct
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Stockton Cutting
Species: 
Grass Snake
Muntjac Deer
Green Tiger Beetle
Holly Blue
Siskin
Lesser Redpoll
Spurge Laurel
Common Spotted orchid
Greater Butterfly Orchid
Green Hairstreak
Wild Thyme
Common Blue
Marbled White
Green Woodpecker
Carline Thistle
Autumn Gentian
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Oakwood and Blacklow Spinney

This reserve contains a small copse in Warwick that forms a very valuable wildlife habitat within a very heavily developed area. The woodland is managed by a local community group. If you're interested in volunteering with the group please contact us: volunteer@wkwt.org.uk.
 
This woodland contains mature, mixed broadleaf and conifer and is an oasis in the suburbs of Warwick. Although its small there is plenty of birdlife. 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
1.70
Short Description: 
A small copse, a valuable wildlife habitat
Location
Address: 
Oakwood Grove, Warwick
Town: 
Warwick
County: 
Warwickshire
Grid ref: 
SP 294 664
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
No
Access: 
Yes
Parking: 
Yes
Grazing animals: 
No
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
July
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by warwickshire
2011-06-22 11:42

Newbold Quarry

This site consists of a large pool created after quarrying finished in 1920 and natural springs flooded the pit. In spring the pool hosts breeding toads and aquatic plants provide cover for great crested grebe and coot. In winter the lake welcomes tufted duck, pochard and little grebe. 
The lime-rich clay heaps support many lime-loving plants and a wide range of butterflies. 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Size: 
10.50
Short Description: 
A large pool edged with grassland and woodland attracting plenty of wildlife.
Location
Address: 
Located at Newbold on Avon, north west of Rugby
Town: 
Rugby
County: 
Warwickshire
Postcode: 
CV21 1AY
Grid ref: 
SP 497 770
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Yes
Access: 
Yes
Access info: 
Various paths around this reserve. Some paths are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Contact the Trust for more information.
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Car parks can be accessed off the A426, via Yates Avenue or for RADAR key holders off the B4112 Newbold Road
Walking information: 
Part of the reserve has wheelchair access, steep slopes in parts
Grazing animals: 
No
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Karl Curtis
Reserve phone number: 
02476 302912
Reserve email address: 
enquiries@wkwt.org.uk?subject=mail from reserve pages
Photos
Photo: 
Species: 
Pochard
Teal
Brown hawker
Great Crested Grebe
Tufted Duck
Little Grebe
Wild Strawberry
Twayblade
Coot
Bee Orchid
Common Spotted orchid
Common Toad
Carline Thistle
Best time to visit
Start: 
April
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve