the urban jungle - Staffordshire University › assets › M426 Nature Reserve leaflet_tcm44... · 2019-05-09 · Nature Reserve the urban jungle Staffordshire University Nature Reserve

Contact details

Health, Safety and Environmental UnitStaffordshire University College Road Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2DE t: 01782 292727 t: 01782 292727 e: [email protected]

HARTSHILL

TONEWCASTLE

-UNDER-LYMELYMEL

A500to

M6 Junction 16

A500to

M6 Junction 15

The Potteries Way(City Centr(City Centre By-pass)

ye By-pass)

y

Hartshill Road

QueenswayA500

Rail Line

SheltonNew Road

Leek RoadA52 to Leek

LichfieldStreet

The City Centre has acomplex one-way system –

drivers are advised toconsult a detailed, recent

Broad StreetLeading to Picadilly

(City Centre)

CollegeRoad

StokeRoad

Cauldon Road

ToLongton and

Fenton

College RoadCollege RoadCollege RoadCampusCampusCampus Leek RoadLeek RoadLeek Road

CampuCampuCampus

Leek RoadLeek RoadA52 to LeekA52 to Leek

Nature ReserveReserve

the urban jungleStaffordshire University Nature Reserve

Welcome to Staffordshire University Nature ReserveStaffordshire University Nature Reserve is a 10 hectare site situated at the edge of the Leek Road campus, in the heart of the Potteries (grid ref. SJ 883 454). The site has been given Natural Heritage designation by the local authority, and is one of the most important wildlife sites in the city.

Owned and managed by Staffordshire University, the reserve is bordered to the north by the River Trent and to the South by an area of grassland used for research. Contained within its boundaries is a diversity of habitats including reed marsh, deciduous woodland and secluded pools.

The reserve is managed by the University which aims to promote Staffordshire Biodiversity Action Plan species, such as water vole and otter. Work so far has sought to promote use by otters as well as encouraging colonisation by native bankside fl ora.

The pools and reed-marsh areas support a number of important waterfowl as well as being home to a vast array of invertebrate and amphibian species. Sensitive areas of the reserve have restricted public access in order to encourage biodiversity.

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Intact hawthorn hedge

Defunctional hedge

Broad-leaved woodland

Scrub woodland

Open water

Marginal aquatic vegetation

Reed marsh

Wet tussock grassland

Marshy grassland

Tall ruderals

Rush scrape

Key Habitats

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Dominant tree species

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Bp

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Alnus glutinosa (Alder)

Betula pendula (Birch)

Populus alba (White poplar)

Populus tremula (Aspen)

Salix fragilis (Crack willow)

Cartography by Rosemary Duncan, Department of Geography, StafCartography by Rosemary Duncan, Department of Geography, StafCartography by Rosemary Duncan, Department of Geography for, Staffor, Staf dshire University

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River Trent

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Tussock Grassland Research Area

Halls of Residence

SpringPond

Disused quarry

University CampusLeek Road

Sports Fields

ManorfieldsPool

10

0 100 metresL O R D S H I P L A N E

Staffordshire University Nature Reserve

Target notes to go with map

1. The path takes you through an avenue of broad-leaved woodland and hawthorn. In autumn look out for the scarlet berries of the rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus), combined with the fruits of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), providing a valuable source of food over winter for song thrush (Turdus philomelos) and black bird (Turdus merula).

2. The expanse of reed marsh provides home for water fowl and temporary shelter for otters (Lutra lutra).

3. Listen out for the trill sound of the wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) as you proceed along this section of path.

4. Throughout the summer months, the heady fragrance of the tall, pink invasive Himalayan balsam (Impatiens balsamifera) fi lls the air.

5. On summer evenings pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) can be seen swooping over the reed beds to feed on insects.

6. This expanse of grassland was once managed by local farmers as a hay meadow, and is still home to some of the original species such as the meadow brown butterfl y (Maniola jurtina). It now forms one of the University grassland research areas.

7. The crystal clear water emerging from the spring fl ows through a series of ponds and streams before eventually feeding into Manorfi elds pool. This is a lifeline for the reserve, which allows the myriad of aquatic species to survive.

8. This ephemeral pond and rush scrape once formed part of the river channel and, with the help of conservation volunteers, will continue to be managed as a valuable back water for breeding frog (Rana temporaria), smooth newt (Triturus vulgaris) and common toad (Bufo bufo).

9. In the high summer months the grassland rides form shelter for the fragile fl ighted gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus), speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) and brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) butterfl ies.

10. The tussock grasslands are home to large populations of insectivorous shrews (Sorex araneus) and fi eld voles (Microtus agrestis). In the spring months you should be able to fi nd the feeding stations of herbivorous fi eld voles that leave neatly piled stacks of grass shoots along their galleries and runs. These small mammals in turn provide food for owls and raptors such as the kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), which frequent the site.

11. Freely draining soils and open vegetation produce a warm microclimate that is a haven for basking reptiles and nectar seeking small skipper butterfl ies (Thymelicus sylvestris).

12. Perhaps unsightly to some, the tangled summer mass of thistles, brambles, and willow herb forms a nectar- rich source for many species of bumblebee

and hoverfl y.

13. In the high summer months the glimmering gold wings of the brown hawker dragonfl y (Aeshna grandis) can be seen patrolling river banks, whilst the woodland rides are home to the emperor dragonfl y (Anax imperator) with its vivid blue and green colours. The purposeful fl ight of these voracious predators sends other insects darting for cover.

14. Tall riverbank vegetation is left unmown to provide food and cover for our dwindling water vole (Arvicola terrestris) population. These agile swimmers, which make their homes in the banks of the river provided the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame’s character Ratty, in his book The Wind in the Willows.

15. If you sit quietly, you may be rewarded with the electrifying blue fl ash of the Kingfi sher (Alcedo atthis) as it patrols the riverbanks in search of sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) and small rudd (Scardinius erythropthalamus).

Feel free to enjoy our reserve but in the interests of the wildlife, please keep to the main paths, take all litter home with you and keep dogs on a lead. Bathing or wading in the pools is not permitted.

Rowan berries

Flowers of the Himalayan Balsam

Gatekeeper butterfl y

Speckled Wood butterfl y

Small Skipper butterfl y

A woodland ride within the

Reserve.

Willow herb

Bumblebee on Himalyan Balsam

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Key

Main foot path

Foot path with wheelchair access

Concessionary foot path

Foot bridge

Steps

Gate

Information board

Artificial otter holt

Pylon