Dominating the eastern side of the reserve
is a motte and bailey castle dating from around the early
twelfth century. The large mound (`tump') is kept clear of
vegetation. The remainder of the 9.5ha reserve comprises
a mosaic of wet and dry grasslands and streamside Alder woodland.
Today the reserve is managed by cattle and occasionally sheep
grazing, and by rotational coppicing of some areas of Alder.
The site lies on the
bankside of Knobley Brook, and three smaller streams bisect
the reserve. In winter
about half of the reserve is waterlogged.
The streamside woodland dominates, and has two distinct
types, with open, wet, coppiced Alder woodland spreading
into diffuse marshy areas, and more mature
alder with a closed canopy. |
(photo: J Blair)
Ar
ochr ddwyreiniol y safle mae olion castell o ddeutu'r deuddegfed
ganrif yn bodoli. Mae weddillion y safle yn gymysgedd o
ardaloedd fir gwlyb a sych.
Mae defaid yn pori yma ar adegau a maent, ynghyd a'r gwartheg,
yn rheoli'r gwarchodle, gan sycrhau nad yw'r glaswellt
yn cymryd drosodd.
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The ground flora varies from mesotrophic marsh communities
with Marsh Marigold, Meadowsweet, Cuckoo Flower, Ragged Robin
and Lesser Spearwort, to fen communities dominated by Lesser
Pond-sedge. Water Whorlgrass is found in standing water and
in places both Alternate-leaved and Opposite-leaved Golden
Saxifrage occur. The Pink Waxcap (Hygrocybe calyptraeformis)
occurs in the shorter grass.
Breeding birds (39 species) include: Tree Sparrow, Whitethroat, Spotted and Pied
Flycatchers, Bullfinch, Marsh and Willow Tits, Linnet, Kestrel, Yellowhammer,
Goldfinch, Blackcap and Garden Warbler. Other visiting birds include Snipe, Curlew,
Grey Partridge and Peregrine. Ravens and Buzzards are commonly seen overhead.
Butterflies include Dark-green Fritillary, Orange Tip, Speckled Wood, Small Heath
and Ringlet. The large wetland cranefly (Pedicia rivosa) and Hazel leafroller
weevil (Apoderus caryli) are frequently seen. Frogs are common across the reserve.
Mammals include Otter and Badger.
Situated next to the minor road running south-east from
Evenjobb to Ditchyeld Bridge on the B4362 north of Walton. From Evenjobb the
reserve entrance is on the right 150 metres beyond the turning to Burfa and
Barland on the left. Please park by the gate, clear of the bend in the road.
The entrance is marked by a reserve sign. Boardwalks allow access through most
of the wetter areas of the site.
Wellingtons are advisable most of the year.
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Freehold, purchased by the Hereford and Radnor Nature Trust
in 1982, and transferred to RWT in 1987. The reserve is designated
as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, principally for
its high botanical interest.
: This reserve contains livestock for
much of the year, please follow the country code.
No dogs please |
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