Intake Wood

Part of an ancient semi-natural woodland SSSI of oak, ash, holly and hawthorn. Bluebell dominates the ground flora, along with dog’s mercury and wood sorrel.

Location
Intake Wood is between Raby Mere and Bromborough, along the north bank of the Clatterbeck and the west bank of Dibbinsdale Brook. It is close to Thornton Wood and Foxes Wood which are also Cheshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ334812).

Access
Leave the M53 at exit 4, take the B5151 past Clatterbridge Hospital; after 1 mile turn left at the crossroad along Thornton Common Road. Turn right at the T junction, and park at Raby Mere, reached about 200 metres from the junction. Access to the reserve is gained by crossing the stream near the small bridge below the Mere. Waterproof boots are required for this. Please contact Cheshire Wildlife Trust before visiting.

Status
The reserve occupies 12 acres (5ha) and is held by agreement from the estate of Lancelyn Green of Poulton Hall. The agreement requires members to carry a written permit when visiting the reserve. It has been a reserve since 1983 and is part of the Dibbinsdale SSSI.

Topography
The reserve is a steep wooded slope along the north bank of the Clatterbeck and at its east end incorporates an area of wet meadows on the west bank of Dibbinsdale Brook.

Flora
The reserve is dominated by deciduous woodland, principally beech, oak, ash and sycamore with an understory of holly. At the east end the woodland thins out to an open avenue of mature beech above and overlooking an area of wet meadow. Bluebells are the predominant spring plant throughout the reserve, with dogs mercury, wood sorrel and other woodland plants also present.

Fauna
The woodland supports a fairly diverse collection of woodland birds. A variety of small mammals has been recorded.