Chainbridge Nature Reserve
Introduction
Chainbridge nature reserve is an area of disused gravel workings, covering 5.2 hectares. The reserve was purchased by the Trust from Tarmac Quarry Products Ltd. for a nominal sum in 1988. The site includes important areas of marginal vegetation and willow woodland habitat
About the reserve
The reserve consists of a series of disused pits created by the gravel extraction separated by narrow spits of land. These have become overgrown with willow, birch and bramble. To allow in more light and increase the diversity a regime of cutting and clearance (coppicing) has been implemented. On two of the islands the scrub has all been coppiced to allow views over the largest area of open water and to attract water birds. The frontage along the side of Chainbridge Lane has a number of large willows, which will be pollarded so that they do not become too top heavy and split. The undergrowth in this area has been cleared to encourage the ground flora and allow access along the edge of the ponds and views down the lagoons.
Conservation Management
We are working to produce a variety of habitats and to increase species diversity in the existing habitats. A willow coppicing and pollarding regime will be applied to maintain the willows and encourage the ground flora. This will also provide views down the lagoons for visitors. Digging channels to prevent access will isolate several of the spits. There was a problem with illegal fishing on the reserve and in the past, there was a lot of dumping but the erection of a new fence seems to have stopped this. The reserve is on gravel strata and is subject to variable water levels, partly dependent on the development of nearby workings.
How to get there
The main access point (SK712857) is from Chainbridge Lane (Which runs from Lound to Hayton) where there is a car park beside the River Idle. The reserve is open at all times but please do not go on to the finger islands.
Further Information
If you would like further details about the reserve, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of the site, please call the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Office on 0115 9588242.
