About the reserve

A secluded valley

Although relatively small in size, this reserve has a rich variety of wildlife. Look out for the parasitic yellow rattle - an indicator of old grassland untouched by chemicals or ploughing. This annual, which lives on grass roots, is named after the sound of its large seeds rattling inside the ripe seed pod. There are also several large anthills - another pointer to undisturbed grassland. The variety of wild flowers include oxeye daisy, fairy flax, bee orchid and meadow crane's-bill.

Scrub for birds

The reserve also features scatterings of small hawthorn bushes that merge into denser scrub as well as two corners of mainly ash woodland. The southern stretch of scrub, which includes sloping grassy glades, provides excellent habitat for birds, including blackcap, bullfinch and yellowhammer.