Mansfield & Ashfield Local Members Group

SPA PONDS NATURE RESERVE

Introduction
This 6.5 hectare wetland reserve is held on licence from a private owner, and was established in 1984.

About the reserve
This wildlife-rich reserve comprises of an interesting mixture of dry acidic grassland and woodland and a series of ponds fed by a spring. Ponds are a rare feature on the Sherwood Sandstone and three of the ponds are medieval in origin, adding to the site’s interest. The River Maun runs adjacent to the reserve.

The wetland flora and fauna is diverse and includes brooklime, skullcap, yellow iris, greater tussock-sedge, gypsywort. Oak and ash dominate the woodland, with alder and sallow close to the ponds. Other grassland plants include wavy hair-grass, sheep’s fescue, bracken, sheep’s sorrel, wood sage and gorse. These dry habitats are likely to support a diverse invertebrate fauna but only limited survey work has yet been carried out.

The reserve is an important site for dragonflies and many butterflies can be also be seen including common species such as small tortoiseshell, meadow brown and brimstone. Kingfisher and little grebe can be seen among many other interesting birds. The adjacent Garibaldi Plantation, a conifer woodland, is worth a look for birds including coal tit and goldcrest.

Conservation management
Due to the close proximity of housing, vandalism and rubbish are the two main problems on the reserve.

How to get there
The reserve (Grid Ref. SK 570634) lies about half-a-mile NW of New Clipstone. It is open to the public, but visitors must keep to the main footpaths. Access to the site is via the public footpath from Clipstone Drive, Forest Town, Mansfield. There is no car park but parking is available on nearby streets. The ponds are reached by a bridleway ( Packmans Way) bordered on one side by woodland and the other by a bank and hedge.

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