Reserves and speciesWillow Farm Wood Nature Reserve

Willow Farm Wood Nature Reserve

Posted by lancashire
2011-05-03 14:17

The site lies in farmland near to the village of Gregson Lane in the Borough of South Ribble, Lancashire.
 
The Blackpool to Leeds railway line bisects it. It was formerly an area of semi-improved pasture, but was planted in 1993 with a mix of native broad-leaved tree and shrub species, accomplished thanks to funding from a Forestry Authority Woodland Grant Scheme.
 
A portion of the grassland has not been planted and is being allowed to develop naturally. The plantation lies adjacent to an area of semi-natural, broad-leaved woodland in a steep-sided valley. This woodland is believed to be ancient and is consequently identified as a non-statutory Wildlife Site, but only a small portion of its slope (about 0.2ha) is owned by The Wildlife Trust: the rest is in private hands.
 
There's also an old pond on site. This supports a nationally notable water beetle that thrives in dense vegetation.

Reserve details
Trust: 
The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside
Trust Website: 
http://www.lancswt.org.uk
Size: 
1.70
Short Description: 
Formerly an area of semi-improved pasture replanted with a mix of tree and shrub species.
Smartphone Description: 
This reserve was formerly an area of semi-improved pasture but was planted with a mix of native broad-leaved tree and shrub species. A portion of the grassland has not been planted and is being allowed to develop naturally. There's also a rather derelict looking old pond on site. A nationally notable water beetle has been recorded.
Location
Address: 
Willow Farm Wood Nature Reserve, Walton-le-Dale.
Town: 
Preston
County: 
Lancashire
Postcode: 
PR5 6
Grid ref: 
SD 589 258
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: 
Permit required
Access info: 
Contact the Trust
Parking: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
John Haddon
Reserve phone number: 
01772 317239
Reserve email address: 
jhaddon@lancswt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Water Beetle
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve