Norwood Road

This reserve was originally several cottages and a railway 'borrow pit' from which ballast was removed. The pit has flooded to create a deep pool, and the gardens reverted to natural grass. A variety of wildlife habitats exist here, including marsh, open water and hawthorn scrub.

The water attracts coot, moorhen and mallard, as well as sedge and reed warblers nesting in the reeds. Newts use the cottage rubble for winter hibernation. Other species you might see include grass snake, narrow buckler-fern, adder's-tongue fern and, at dusk in summer, noctule bats.