Derbyshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves - thedms

The wild side of Derbyshire
Take a trip to one of our nature reserves
and discover the wonderful world of wildlife
on your doorstep
Nature reserves provide a vital refuge for animals and plants
that are disappearing from our countryside. Water voles,
which are suffering a devastating national decline, can
still be seen regularly at Cromford Canal, Oakerthorpe and
The Avenue Washlands Nature Reserves among others.
The bittern, a rare member of the heron family, sometimes
visits Willington, Drakelow and Carr Vale in winter, while
Rose End Meadows and our Wye Valley reserves are havens
for wildflowers and the butterflies, bees and other insects
that feed on them.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves are central to our
vision of a Living Landscape. We are working to create a
network of connected wildlife habitats where local businesses
and communities can play their part in ensuring that our
natural environment will be able to adapt to climate change.
Most of our reserves are open for everyone to enjoy the
sights and sounds of nature. A few have restricted access so
that we can provide extra protection for particularly vulnerable
habitats and species. Permits are issued free to members
and to individuals able to demonstrate a level of support and
understanding of the conservation needs of these sites.
Please contact us for more information.
Below: Emperor dragonfly Cover: Kingfisher, Laurie Campbell Back Cover: Deep Dale
Support us and help protect
local wildlife
If you love the county’s wildlife, you can help Derbyshire
Wildlife Trust by becoming a member. As a member
you receive regular newsletters and emails keeping
you up to date and letting you know of forthcoming
events and activities. We also offer gift memberships
for special occasions throughout the year and we
have a junior membership, Wildlife Watch.
To find out more about joining or to order a gift
membership contact us on 01773 881188 during office
hours or visit our website,
www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Help protect
your local
wildlife
Join us !
Derbyshire
Wildlife Trust
Where to see wildlife
in Derbyshire
A guide to our nature reserves
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
East Mill, Bridge Foot, Belper
Derbyshire DE56 1XH
Tel: 01773 881188
Fax: 01773 821826
Email: enquiries@derbyshirewt.co.uk
Website: www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk
Photography by Sue Crookes, Tony Pioli, Paul Shaw, Steve Price,
Kieron Huston, Richard Pittam, Dave Savage, Ian Weatherley
Designed by FDA 01433 659776
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust is a company registered in England
and Wales, company number 715675
Issue date August 2012 Registered charity no. 222212
Protecting wildlife, Restoring landscapes, Inspiring people

Our flagship reserves
You are welcome at any of the reserves listed
overleaf, but you might like to start with these,
which are a good introduction
– Permits are required for some of our nature reserves
Carr Vale
One of the best birdwatching sites in Derbyshire, Carr Vale is close
to Bolsover. There is plenty to see all year round, from wigeon,
teal and other ducks in winter to breeding warblers in the summer.
It’s also a great place to see dragonflies.
Willington Gravel Pits
The former gravel quarry at Willington is teeming with bird life
all year round, from ducks in winter to sand martins and common
terns among others in summer. Dragonflies and damselflies are
plentiful here too.
Erewash Meadows
On the Nottinghamshire border, this reserve forms part of the
largest area of floodplain grasslands and wetlands in the Erewash
Valley. Best known for the birds that visit, the reserve is also home
to grass snakes, amphibians, dragonflies and water voles.
Hilton Gravel Pits SSSI
Great crested newts and black poplar trees are among the species
that find a safe haven at Hilton. The reserve is also a good place
for dragonflies in the summer, with 15 species recorded here.
Common twayblade and southern marsh orchids grow here, while
fungi abound in autumn.
Drakelow
In the grounds of the former Drakelow Power Station, these
flooded gravel pits are important for birds and dragonflies.
From tantalising glimpses of bitterns in winter to large numbers
of cormorants, plus ducks, waders and birds of prey, the reserve
has several hides for watching the comings and goings in
comfort.
Woodside/Mapperley Wood
The narrow belt of woodland at Mapperley is a glorious carpet
of bluebells in spring and as summer approaches it bursts
with birdsong. In 2011 we purchased 183 acres of land next to
Mapperley Wood – this is now Woodside Nature Reserve. It is
mostly former mining land restored to agriculture. It is also
good for farmland birds and invertebrates.
Wye Valley Reserves
The beautiful Wye Valley south east of Buxton is a mixture
of internationally important ash woodland and limestone
grassland, cliffs and riverside. There are five reserves in this
area, with many options for a full day’s walk or a short stroll.
Visit in summer to enjoy the wildflowers including orchids at
Chee Dale, Miller’s Dale and Priestcliffe Lees. Bloody cranesbill
adorns the slopes of Deep Dale, while bluebells thrive in
Cramside Wood.
Rose End Meadows SSSI
These special fields have never been treated with artificial fertiliser
or herbicide and they create a vivid picture of how Derbyshire’s
limestone farmland looked around a hundred years ago. The
reserve is full of wildflowers through spring and summer, from
buttercups and bluebells to orchids and great burnet.
The Avenue Washlands
The Avenue Washlands consists of reedbed, marsh, ponds and
grassland, which attract many birds such as lapwing, tufted duck
and little grebe as well as yellowhammer and nesting warblers.
Water voles, great crested newts and dragonflies have also made
their homes here.
Hartington Meadows
Close to the Tissington Trail, these meadows are full of wildflowers
in early summer. From traditional haymeadow flowers such as
yellow rattle to limestone species such as fragrant orchid, the
plants attract a range of insects including butterflies and day-flying
moths such as the chimney sweeper moth.
For visitors of limited mobility, please consult the website or
phone us for access details.
SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest
LNR – Local Nature Reserve
Above: Nuthatch at Mapperley Wood; Betony in flower
Below: Enjoying a walk; The Avenue Washlands; Chee Dale

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
nature reserves
In Derbyshire you are never more than eight miles from
one of our nature reserves. Find out which is your nearest
– Permits are required for some of our nature reserves
1 Barton Pool
GRID REF SK504331
This small wetland reserve is next to the Nottingham to Long
Eaton railway line. It is important for its insects, especially hoverflies,
and its old pollard willows. Please don’t enter the reserve as it can
be viewed from the path.
2 Broadhurst Edge Wood
GRID REF SJ999875
Woodland and bilberry glades provide welcome refuge for birds
including tawny owl, whinchat and redpoll.
3 Brockholes Wood SSSI
GRID REF SK072996
One of few remaining areas of upland oak woodland, with moorland.
Look for mountain hares and many bird species.
4 Carr Vale
GRID REF SK459701
A great place to see wintering ducks and other birds as well as
migrating waders in spring and autumn and breeding birds such
as reed buntings in summer.
5 Carvers Rocks SSSI
GRID REF SK330227
On the shores of Foremark Reservoir, this reserve is a good place
to see birds all year round, and also has rare habitats including
one of the last areas of lowland heath in Derbyshire.
6 Chee Dale SSSI
GRID REF SK120727
A beautiful steep-sided gorge with limestone grassland where
orchids and other wildflowers abound in the summer.
20
2
32
13
Glossop
Buxton
KEY
1
3
A624
A628
A57
36
Hathersage
6 22 27 38
37
12
Reserve
Peak District
National Park
Reservoir
Derbyshire
County Border
Trunk Road
River
Motorway
Town
26
R Derwent
A623
A619
Bakewell
R Wye
Chesterfield
A515
16
A50
18
A6
30
Matlock
Ashbourne
40
17
29
34
14
A52
Belper
35
A61
R Amber
42
8
7
33
A38
Derby
A50
R Trent
5
23
25
31
39
24
9
M1
Alfreton
21
41
10
28
11
4
N
Bolsover
Ilkeston
19
1
15
0 5
miles
7 Cromford Canal LNR/SSSI
GRID REF SK384519, SK332543
This former working waterway is now rich in wildlife, including
dragonflies, grass snakes and water voles.
8 Derwentside
GRID REF SK316556, SK326554
Wild daffodils, wood anemones and other woodland flowers
flourish in this reserve close to the Cromford Canal. Please do not
enter the reserve as it can be viewed from the boundary.
9 Duckmanton Railway Cutting SSSI
GRID REF SK423703
Rocks and fossils give this reserve geological interest, while
grassland flowers attract a variety of butterflies.
10 Erewash Meadows
GRID REF SK441517, SK446496, SK447487
A refuge in the Erewash Valley for wetland birds and water voles.
11 Golden Brook Storage Lagoon
GRID REF SK470332
A small reserve with lots of wildlife including wetland birds,
butterflies and wild flowers.
12 Hartington Meadows
GRID REF SK150611
Hay meadows with lovely views in the Derbyshire Dales.
13 Hillbridge and Park Woods
GRID REF SK010787
An upland oak woodland rich with the colour and scent of bluebells
in spring.
Above: Water vole at Cromford Canal; Discovering a reserve
Below: Comma; Common spotted orchids at Rose End Meadows

14 Hilton Gravel Pits SSSI
GRID REF SK249315
Worked-out gravel pits providing a haven for dragonflies, birds
and amphibians.
15 Hollinhill and Markland Grips
GRID REF SK509752, SK507748
Woodland and grassland rich in wildflowers including bluebells
and orchids.
16 Holly Wood
GRID REF SK173430
Visit this woodland reserve in spring to see its bluebells.
17 Hopton Quarry SSSI
GRID REF SK262562
A former quarry renowned for its orchids.
18 Ladybower Wood SSSI
GRID REF SK205867
Upland oakwood – a great place to look for lichens, woodland
birds and mountain hares.
19 Lock Lane Ash Tip
GRID REF SK485318
Lizards, moths and butterflies are the highlights of this former ash
tip near Long Eaton.
20 Long Clough
GRID REF SK031925
An important grassland reserve with more than 150 species of
flowers, sedges and mosses.
21 Mapperley Wood
GRID REF SK439433
Woodland, good for bluebells in spring. Permit required.
22 Miller’s Dale Quarry SSSI
GRID REF SK140731
A former limestone quarry where orchids and other wildflowers
flourish.
23 Morley Brickyards SSSI
GRID REF SK388418
Flooded former clay pits providing refuge for amphibians.
24 North Wingfield
GRID REF SK404643
Grassland and wetland areas on this reserve provide habitat for
threatened species such as water vole.
25 Oakerthorpe LNR
GRID REF SK390553
Frogs, toads, grass snakes and water voles are among the many
species to be found on this small nature reserve.
26 Overdale
GRID REF SK185805
Upland pasture rich in plants where birds such as meadow pipits
and skylarks make their home.
27 Priestcliffe Lees SSSI
GRID REF SK147730, SK155728
This hillside nature reserve is best known for its wildflowers.
28 Risley Glebe
GRID REF SK461359
A small reserve with over 150 plants including some scarce ones.
29 Rose End Meadows
GRID REF SK293567
Unspoilt wildflower meadows where orchids, buttercups and other
wildflowers flourish.
30 Rowsley Sidings
GRID REF SK260650
Wildflowers and invertebrates abound in this small wet woodland.
31 Spring Wood SSSI
GRID REF SK379225
Mixed woodland carpeted with bluebells in spring. Hides provide
views over Staunton Harold Reservoir.
32 Watford Lodge LNR
GRID REF SK007805
This small wetland hosts a range of species, from frogs to birds.
33 Wyver Lane
GRID REF SK345493
An important wetland reserve in the Derwent Valley, good for
birdwatching.
34 Gang Mine
GRID REF SK284558
Specialist lead-tolerant flowers are a feature of this former
mining site.
35 Willington Gravel Pits
GRID REF SK285274
A major birdwatching reserve in the Trent Valley.
36 Hadfields Quarry
GRID REF SK162822
Species-rich grassland, wetland and woodland in the beautiful
Hope Valley.
37 Deep Dale and Topley Pike SSSI
GRID REF SK099717
A limestone dale with glorious views and a rich variety of
wildflowers through the summer.
38 Cramside Wood SSSI
GRID REF SK166730
This majestic ancient ash woodland is home to some rare plants.
39 The Avenue Washlands
GRID REF SK398668
Part of the former coking works near Chesterfield, now a wetland
reserve with many birds and invertebrates, as well as water
voles and great crested newts.
40 Drakelow
GRID REF SK223204
A haven for birdwatchers in the Trent Valley, with something to
see all year round.
41 Woodside
GRID REF SK448436
Mixed habitats, good for farmland birds and invertebrates.
42 Lea Wood
GRID REF SK318558
Ancient semi-natural woodland, good for bluebells in spring.
Below: Hartington Meadows; Bittern; Spring Wood