| Nearest
town: Carnforth Grid reference: SD 525 698, Landranger 97, Explorer
OL41 The
reserve is bounded by housing, limestone pasture and a busy footpath to the village
school. Although small, this is a "five species" amphibian pond, containing Common
Frog, Common Toad, Smooth Newt, Palmate Newt and Great Crested Newt (a UK-BAP
Priority Species). Such sites are uncommon nationally, being restricted to those
geographical areas where the ranges of all five species coincide. Bladder-sedge
(classified as 'Vulnerable' in the Provisional Lancashire Red Data List of Vascular
plants) grows in association with marsh cinquefoil, forming a raft of tall-herb
vegetation. Bog Pondweed and Horned Pondweed also occur. Marginal vegetation includes
rushes, Yellow Iris, Purple-loosestrife, Bulrush, Reed Canary-grass, Cuckooflower
and Great Willowherb. Invertebrates
recorded include 19-spot Ladybird, Guelder-rose Leaf Beetle and White Ramshorn
Snail. Management
Through a combination of monitoring and regular management, the Trust aims to
maintain a suitable mosaic of mixed swamp vegetation and open water for the resident
amphibian population and invertebrates. The adjoining improved grassland will
be diversified and low-key educational has been encouraged by the provision of
a boardwalk and interpretation board. For
further information contact: Reuben
Neville Heysham Reserves Manager tel:
07979 652138 email: rneville@lancswt.org.uk
| Location
The reserve lies at the southern edge of Over Kellet village at the end of
a residential cul-de-sac (Greenways). Cycle
Route Access
Open at any time. Please park with consideration for local residents. Status
Owned and managed by the Trust, the pond is a County Wildlife Site extending to
approximately 0.1 hectare. |