Visitor Guidelines
Even in summer, the site
can be very wet and muddy, so boots are advisable at
all seasons. Narrow winding access paths and lush summer
growth combine to make losing your sense of direction
quite easy, even in a reserve this small!
Description
The reserve is the last remnant of a much larger peaty wetland area that existed in the 19th century. The marsh is what remains of a former watercourse of the River Wye, occupying all the low-lying ground between Coughton and Old Hill Court. The name 'Coughton' is derived from 'hillock settlement', possibly indicating a drier raised area within the marsh. A fine Neolithic axe found on the site also attests to ancient settlement here.
Although small, and surrounded by open agricultural land, the marsh woodland is of great historical and biological interest because it is the only area of plateau Alder woodland now left in the lower Wye valley. The canopy consists of impressive relict alder coppice stools covered in ivy. Oak and Ash standards are occasional. Hazel coppice, Hawthorn, Elder and Spindle help form a shrub layer, together with Goat Willow, Blackthorn, Guelder Rose and Redcurrant. The latter, in particular, have colonised areas of previously cleared ground to form scrub woodland. A few open clearings dominated by rank fen vegetation increase the diversity of habitat found in this small reserve.
Present Management
The woodland is traditionally
managed on a rotation as coppice with standards, except
for a small area in the N.E. corner, which has been designated
as a non-intervention area. Nest boxes for both birds
and Dormice are provided, and tying down long overhead
lengths of coppice pole has made Dormouse 'crossings'
over paths. The fen meadow areas are cut and cleared
annually and a network of access paths is kept open by
periodic mowing.
Acquisition Details
Freehold bought in 1984 with grant aid from Natural England.
The reserve is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by Natural England in recognition of its importance for wildlife and conservation.
Best
time to visit |
Spring and Summer. | |
Habitat |
Wet woodland and fen dominated by alder coppice. | |
Size |
1.2 hectares (3 acres). | |
Specialites |
Dormice (the reserve is a key site for this attractive mouse and the nestbox population is regularly monitored by licensed recorders), Yellow-necked mice, Dark Bush Cricket (8-10), Herb Paris (4-5), Ragged Robin (7), Marsh Marigold (4-5), Yellow Iris (7), Fleabane (7-8), Fen Bedstraw (7-8), Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap and Great Spotted woodpecker all breed regularly on the reserve. | |
Parking |
Park in the lay-by outside Walford Primary School. | |
OS
map |
Explorer OL14 | |
Nearby
Reserves |
Purland Chase, Parish Field, Merrivale Wood & Pool Ellocks. |
Downloads
Download
reserve details 
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