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Croxteth
LNR
Car
park at SJ400943.
Previously
the Country Estate of Lord Sefton, Croxteth Country
Park is now Liverpool's largest public open space.
The LNR comprises 50ha of woodland, rough grassland
and pasture with several ponds and is bordered by
the River Alt.
Mull
Wood, the largest woodland block, is mainly English
Oak and Sycamore. It holds a good variety of breeding
birds, including Nuthatch and occasionally Lesser
Spotted Woodpecker. The ponds support an interesting
collection of plants, including Tubular Water-dropwort,
and a range of common dragonfly species.
Childwall
Woods & Fields
Entrance
from Childwall Abbey Road at SJ411890
Originally
part of the estate grounds of Childwall Hall, the
24ha site is a mixture of plantation woodland and
rough grassland. The wood is ornamental in origin
with a mix of species including English Oak, Sweet
Chestnut and Beech. It is noteworthy for its extensive
native Bluebell population. The grasslands put on
a spectacular show of Common Spotted and Southern
Marsh Orchids in early June. Sixteen species of butterfly
have been recorded on the Fields.
Within
Childwall Woods, the old carriage drive is designated
as a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS) for
its exposed sandstone faces.
Mill
Wood & Alder Wood, Speke
Entrance
from Alderfield Drive (by heavy green steel access
gate) at SJ454837
On
the edge of Speke estate and adjoining open countryside,
the 22ha Mill Wood is owned by Liverpool City Council
but sits mostly within the neighbouring districts
of Halton and Knowsley. An ancient woodland dominated
by oak and birch, it holds one of only three populations
of the Purple Hairstreak butterfly in North Merseyside.
The rich woodland ground flora includes Bluebell,
Dog's Mercury, Wood Sorrel and Yellow Pimpernel.
The
adjoining meadows are some of Liverpool's best grasslands,
supporting Common Centaury, Bee Orchid, Common Spotted
Orchid, Ragged Robin and various vetches.
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Croxteth
LNR 
