The reserve lies
on a very precipitous, south-facing slope below
the A438. It consists of a rectangular fragment
of ancient broad-leaved woodland overlooking
the River Wye, and clinging to the side of an
old river cliff formed on the outside bend of
a meander. The cliff has been cut into the underlying
Old Red Sandstone, and in places the rock is
exposed where the thin covering soil has been
washed away. Ash dominates the woodland canopy
but there are several large Oak trees. The under-storey
is mainly Hazel, particularly near the top, although
young Elms, Holly, Field Maple, Hawthorn and
Elder also occur. At the base of the slope, outside
the reserve, there is a flat area bordering the
river and the woodland grades into tangled Willow
and Alder scrub with a considerable quantity
of fallen and standing deadwood. The most striking
feature of the wooded slope is the very large
number of well-grown Hart's Tongue Ferns, together
with occasional clumps of Hard Fern and Male
Fern, all of which flourish in the damp, shaded
conditions below the canopy. Indicators of the
wood's ancient origins are provided by the abundance
of Dog's Mercury and presence of Bluebells and
Primroses. Other interesting plants which have been recorded include Tutsan, Woodruff and the
parasitic Toothwort. In late summer, dense stands
of Himalayan Balsam dominate the river bank.
The close proximity to the river, the relatively
undisturbed nature of the site, and the dense
vegetation at the foot of the slope make the
area ideal as a refuge for Otters. |
As at Clifford Common,
less than one mile upstream, the aim will be
to keep management to a minimum to ensure that
both sites remain undisturbed. Therefore, there
are no plans to make access to this reserve any
easier. |
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