Mansfield & Ashfield Local Members Group

MEDEN VALE - THE BOTTOMS pLNR (SK578 692).

The river Meden flows through the length of the site from Church Warsop in the west, past Meden Vale then on to Ollerton. The river meanders through the reserve flanked on either side by low-lying wetlands. These have been unsympathetically planted with non-native trees, which will hopefully be removed when the area receives its LNR designation. This area regularly floods during the winter months providing excellent habitat for a host of bird species and amphibians.

The area is a large SINC for it flora interest including the native wet woodland which comprises mainly of Silver Birch and Alder, with an under-storey of Elderberry.

Mammals in the area include Badger, Fox and the occasional Mink, even with this predator present the river holds a small population of Water Voles.

There have not been many recorded sightings of bats in the area but Daubentons are regularly seen up stream of the pLNR, and the post office that backs on to the reserve had a late summer maturity roost of 500+ pipistrelle bats during 2004.

Birds recorded on the site include Little Grebe, Grey Heron, Teal, Water Rail, Kingfisher, Marsh and Willow Tit, as well as a number of over wintering waders such as Woodcock and Snipe.

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