About the reserve

Despite its modest size, the upland oakwood on this reserve is one of the largest in the area and several species of woodland birds make their homes here - among them are wood warbler and pied flycatcher, which arrive in summer to breed in the woods. 

In spring, the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells. Once a common sight, this purple haze is now sadly becoming much less familiar around Britain. The eastern boundary of the reserve is formed by the River Goyt.

Here, you may see the turquoise flash of a kingfisher darting past, or the distinctive brown and white 'bobbing' of a dipper on a rock in the river. Beside the river, the oak trees give way to alders which bend their branches gracefully over the water.

The reserve is also an important site for lichens and bryophytes (mosses), with several rare species occurring on the older trees.