Mansfield & Ashfield Local Members Group

RAVENSDALE LNR (SK552 619)

This site is situated on Sherwood sandstone, which gives rise to its thin sandy soil, the LNR is a mixture of three main habitat types all of which are listed on the Local Biodiversity Action Plan. The first is coppiced Penduculate Oak woodland with acid grassland which is designated a SINC. This is situated on a steep embankment and is said to date back to the 16 th century.

To the west of the woodland is improved- semi-improved grassland on a steeply sloping bank, the sward is open due to the thin impoverished soil so the area still contains some of the plant communities characteristic of acid grassland. The east side of the oak woodland is a mosaic of acid grassland and hawthorn scrub in which a number of heather scrapes containing both Calluna (Ling) and Bell Heather have been created with mixed success. Areas of Gorse and Broom are also found on this site but this is generally restricted to the boundary of the adjoining housing estate.

A breeding bird survey was undertaken during 2004. The results showed that many of the common species were present but in relatively small numbers, with few birds breeding in the oak woodland. This is probably due to the lack of suitable nest holes in the tree trunks due to their relatively young age. There is also a lack of suitable groundcover and middle layer in the woodland available for nest sites. The scrub and heathland area fared a little better with breeding pairs of Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Yellowhammer recorded.

During the survey a Tawny Owl, Great-spotted Woodpecker and a number of bats (species unknown but probably one of the pipistrelle spp) were observed. It is hoped to erect a number of bat and bird boxes on this site later this year.

The grassland and heather beds support a diverse range of invertebrate species the most obvious of these is the butterflies with Brimstone, Peacock, Meadow Brown, Small Copper and three species of blue butterfly recorded these are Common, Holly and Brown Argus.

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