Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

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FOXCOVERT PLANTATION NATURE RESERVE

The reserve was purchased by the Trust in January 1996 after having been leased from a private owner since 1975. The reserve covers almost 11 hectares and is classified as secondary woodland. The reserve was purchased following a successful fundraising appeal.

The site is a secondary mixed deciduous woodland believed to be on the site of part of the ancient Sherwood Forest. High numbers of fungal species suggest that the plantation was established on the site of ancient woodland. Survey work on moths and other invertebrates has produced records of species only found in Sherwood Forest woodlands, adding further support to this theory.

The main wood covers more than 7 hectares and was clear felled about 50 years ago. This contains predominately oak and birch, with sycamore, sweet chestnut, rowan, coppiced lime and several other species. Rhododendron and bracken formerly dominated areas of open ground, but have been brought under control over the last few years. The main wood is linked to two small areas, formerly copses called Big Emily and Little Emily by a grassy ride bordered by a single line of poplars and a tall hawthorn hedge.

In 2005, the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust carried out a large-scale tree felling operation as part of the ‘Sherwood Initiative’ – an exciting 5-year project designed to restore rare Sherwood Forest habitats. Large numbers of non-native sycamore trees were removed from these two copses in an effort to help recreate an area of acid grassland. The existing oak, ash, birch, and sweet chestnut were retained, and 400 English oak saplings were planted.

Funding for this work has been provided by the Sherwood Forest Trust and through Landfill Tax Credits from the Waste Recycling Group, administered by WREN.

Heath bedstraw and wood sage are commonly found in the main wood, and in the grassy ride three-veined sandwort, thyme-leaved speedwell, harebell, lesser stitchwort, common mouse ear, rosebay willow herb, foxglove and almost 30 other common species can be found. Small areas of bramble and gorse provide habitat for insects and birds and cover for the entrances of the many rabbit burrows. A triangular open area of wavy hair grass is home for the common green grasshopper. Seven other common grasses are found throughout the reserve.

In winter, goldcrest, redpoll and long-tailed tit can be seen, with occasional sightings of hawfinch and green woodpecker. In the summer the common woodland species are joined by garden and willow warblers, chiffchaff and blackcap, spotted flycatcher and roding woodcock. If the autumn is wet and mild the wood fills with the fruiting bodies of fungi, including the beautiful fly agaric and many fascinating bracket fungi. If you visit the reserve in August and early September the use of an insect repellent is advisable.

At present, the control of rhododendron is carried out each winter in order that native woodland species can flourish. 

The wood is situated about half a mile east of Burnt Stump Country Park on the A614 (SK 587506) . By car it must, however, be approached from Calverton on the minor road Gravelly Hollow. A new car park has been constructed a few hundred metres from the entrance along this road, but it is also possible to park on Gravelly Hollow nearer the entrance. The reserve is open to the public but visitors should keep to the footpaths.

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 958 8242.