Mansfield & Ashfield local Members Group

BOGS FARM QUARRY NATURE RESERVE

Introduction

The majority of this 5 hectare reserve is a former quarry in sands and clays of glacial origin that has been allowed to colonise naturally. It has developed a range of habitats of sufficient interest to have been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature. The quarry is owned by the Trust and species present include the frog orchid, which is very rare in Nottinghamshire.

About the reserve

Base-rich seepages on the slopes of the quarry support a range of interesting species such as marsh orchids. The drier grassland on the steep slopes also contains a wide range of flowers and grasses, including the attractive quaking grass - a close relative of the ornamental grass often used in flower arranging. More interesting vegetation occurs on and around the floor of the quarry, whilst the edges are characterised by scrub, most of which is hawthorn.

Next to the quarry is a fine example of species rich pasture characteristic of grassland developed on somewhat acid soils. Typical species here include harebell, betony and lady’s bedstraw. Birds such as sparrow hawk and kestrel visit the site, and berries provided by the scrub in autumn and winter regularly attract fieldfare and redwing. The flowery grassland sheltered by scrub and steep slopes supports a wide range of insects and other invertebrates. Amphibians such as the common frog enjoy the marshy conditions on the quarry floor.

Regeneration of the quarry site has been highly successful and varied. Nowadays, however the range and type of species recorded would be unlikely to occur in similar circumstances (e.g. regeneration on a gravel quarry or pit tip) due to isolation of the site from old grasslands by the surrounding intensively farmed area. Bogs Farm Quarry therefore is of particular interest because it forms a biological time capsule isolated in a modern landscape.

Conservation management

Management strategies include the control of scrub by selective thinning and the use of grazing as a means of keeping the sward in the best condition for species diversity, as well as to increase the number of frog orchids.

How to get there

Entry to the reserve is across a field and there is a small parking area adjacent to the roadside gate (100m east of the M1 at Grid Ref. SK 482532). If parking here please do not block the gate as the farmer requires access at all times. The actual access into the reserve is by a stile 200m north of this, or by gate a further 300m along the field boundary.

Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust

BOGS FARM QUARRY NATURE RESERVE