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Description
The area includes a large array of wildfowl & song birds ranging from Water Rail to Willow Warbler. 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 Common Snipe. 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 Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler, 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; Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff Cetti's Warbler & Garden Warbler.
Great Crested Grebe can be seen displaying on Pond 1 & 2
The woodland to the East of the ponds offers a completely different habitat where Eurasian Jay 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 Barn Owl 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.
Details
Access
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.
Terrain and Habitat
Grassland , Wetland , Forest , Reedbeds , Mud flatsConditions
Flat , HillyCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring migration , WinterRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , Car , WheelchairBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
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.