Cople Pits
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Water-filled former gravel diggings, now a series of secluded shady pools and woodland |
Gravel digging in the 1930s created what is now known as Cople Pits. The 11 small pits filled up with water and were colonised by various aquatic plants, while the spits of land in-between developed in to hawthorn and willow scrub.
Just prior to the Trust's involvement, the area nearest the road was in-filled and covered with sub-soil. Fortunately this has now grassed over and supports a wide range of wild flowers, which greatly increases the enjoyment for visitors.
The ponds provide a range of habitats from open sunny water near the road to the more shaded pits deep within the reserve. Dragonflies can often be seen hunting other insects and fighting with each other for territory, while kingfishers take small fish from the pits. Other birds feed and nest amongst the dense scrub that now exists. Great spotted woodpeckers can be glimpsed in the canopy of mature willow and ash trees as they search for insects inside dead branches.
Birds: Song thrush, long-tailed tit |
Plants: Yellow flag iris Insects: Orange-tip butterfly Amphibians: Toads, frogs, newts |
Plants: Black knapweed, wild carrot Insects: Meadow brown and gatekeeper butterflies |
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