Erewash Meadows NR Site Guide

by Dave Sneap

History Formerly known as Langley Mill and Brinsley Flashes, a good part of the area became a Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve (Erewash Meadows) in 1996 when purchased jointly by the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Wildlife Trusts. Each Wildlife Trust is responsible for either side of the River Erewash, which forms the county boundary. The area has long been a well-watched site with records dating back to the 1960s when much of the Erewash Valley reverted back to flood-plain because of mining subsidence. Until the early 1980s the wetland area was about three times more extensive than it is today. But the southern part was a local tip and was gradually being filled from the south west corner. When filled in the A610 bypass was built across it in 1982. The area to the north of the road, however, has remained intact and is little changed, apart from the silting of the delta caused by a narrow causeway built at the time of the bypass.

During the early 1980s the area was threatened with opencast mining. To avoid the threat becoming a reality the Erewash Valley Bird Group (EVBG) was formed in 1985. The EVBG undertook systematic recording of birds and published an annual report to show that the area was important for birds and should be safeguarded. Although most of the site is now safe, the EVBG has continued to monitor birds and publish an annual report.

The whole site suffered during the early 1990s when a succession of dry years reduced the water table. However, steps taken by EVBG brought help from the then NRA (now Environment Agency), who dredged out two scrapes enlarging what remained of Langley Mill Flash. The Wildlife Trusts have since deepened and enlarged these pools, with further enlargement planned. This area just to the north of the causeway holds most of the wildfowl through the winter and, fortunately, the farmers across the river have not carried out any major reclamation work - occasionally they deepen the river and carry out some infilling of flooded land. At times of high water levels virtually the whole area on both sides of the river is under water, creating various sized pools and then wet grassland as the flood waters recede and providing excellent birding on regular occasions.

Birders who have been around awhile will know of Brinsley Flash about half a mile north of Langley Mill Flashes. These pools are now owned by a local shooting club and are strictly private, but they can be viewed distantly from the footpath north of Stoneyford Kennels in Derbyshire.

The Site

There are four main pools on the Aldercarr or Langley Mill Flash section, called Spoonbill, Taylors, Railway and Farmers. All these pools are shallow and surrounded by marshland, which is usually larger than the pools. Just off the reserve, and slightly to the north west, are two small ponds that were created after a period of opencast mining that finished in 1989. All these pools, apart from the first two, are on the Derbyshire side of the river, as are two more pools a 1/4 and 1/2 mile to the north, respectively. They are Kennels Flash and Big Marsh, which is directly west of Brinsley Flash.

Birds

A total of 186 species has been recorded up to the end of 2002, including a number of rarities and scarcities, e.g., Bittern, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Spoonbill, Little Egret, Red-crested Pochard, American Wigeon, Honey-buzzard, Red-footed Falcon, Quail, Hoopoe, Wryneck, Red-rumped Swallow, Black Redstart and Great Grey Shrike. Four of these species have been recorded on several occasions.

Birding the area

The main starting points are on Plumtree Road, Aldercarr; Stoney Lane, Brinsley; and at the Stoneyford Inn at Stoneyford.

Starting at Plumtree Road, Aldercarr, walk under the A610 Langley Mill bypass and follow the farm track around to the right and past the farm buildings on the left. There are several alder trees on the bypass embankment that often attract Siskin and Redpoll. Continue down the rough farm track and onto the causeway over the River Erewash and into Nottinghamshire. Note that the causeway is underwater when the river is high and is sometimes impassable. This is one of the best places to see Water Rail, especially in winter when they sometimes cross the causeway, but are more likely to be seen alongside the reed stands. There is a small colony of Reed Warblers in these reeds.

At the far end of the causeway there is the winter feeding station that attracts Great and Blue Tits, a few mixed finches and more interestingly Willow Tit and Water Rail. Wildfowl are also fed during the winter from a point a little further along.

Just beyond the north to south fence line turn north and cross the stile into the field and go past a small triangular copse (sometimes has a roosting Little Owl) on your left. As the view opens out, Spoonbill Flash Spoonbill Pool can be seen and as this area usually holds most of the wildfowl it is worth spending some time here. During the winter period 200 - 300 mixed duck species occur, mainly Teal and Wigeon, but also Shoveler and Gadwall with occasional Pochard, Tufted and Ruddy Duck. Other species of duck recorded on this pool have included Goosander, Goldeneye, Scaup, Shelduck, Pintail, Garganey and recently, of course, an American Wigeon.

Look for waders around the margins, especially in spring and autumn, and a telescope is advisable because the small species can be difficult to see in the water's edge vegetation. Snipe often congregate on the island or amongst the emergent, flattened reedmace beds. Double figure counts of Snipe are common and there is always the possibility of Jack Snipe in winter.

Continue along the footpath and over two more stiles to Taylors Pond and Marsh. This is a small overgrown field with a small pond heavily fringed by reedmace. Often devoid of birds apart from Coot and Mallard it does hold a variety of warblers in summer, Whinchat on passage, and Water Rail and sometimes Stonechat in late autumn or winter. Follow the path around the northern end of the field and over the river bridge back into Derbyshire. At this point Notts only listers should retrace their steps, after pausing to check for Kingfisher and Sand Martin along the river. Otherwise carry on up the grassy rise to a gateway on your left which is the entrance to the Railway Marsh area. Now is the time to decide whether to continue on the circular short route or to carry on past the gateway to the two small ponds and further up the valley to Kennels Flash and Big Marsh.

For the longer walk, pass the two small ponds, where Little Grebe can usually be seen, and go over the stiles and across the fields to the Kennels. Keeping the Kennels on your left, go over the stile and into Big Marsh meadow. Below and to your right is Kennels Flash - a shallow scrape, dammed to control the water level, and when conditions are right is worth checking for waders. Unfortunately, being close to the footpath, waders are easily flushed especially if there are dog walkers about.

Continuing north keep close to the hedge and fence line on your left, scanning the posts and bushes ahead of you, especially in July and August for Redstarts, which are recorded in this area every year. Brinsley Flash Flash Arriving at a large isolated post on a rise, the whole area of Big Marsh and across the river to Brinsley Flash and its reedbeds can be scanned. It is recommended that a telescope is used because of the distances involved, especially for any birds on Brinsley Flask There are usually Great Crested Grebes and a few diving duck present with Common Terns recorded regularly in summer. In autumn and winter scan the bushes and reed tops for Stonechats.

Directly behind you to the west is a stile that leads to a path alongside a remnant of the old canal through an area of willow and hawthorn to a clearing that is good for butterflies in the summer. Follow the path through the 'hills and holes' and into the Top Copse. This small area of woodland has attracted many species over the years, including Night Heron, Wryneck, Wood Warbler, Pied Flycatcher, Hawfinch and Brambling, as well as all three species of woodpecker on a fairly regular basis.

On reaching the fence line turn east and cross the end of the canal and climb the embankment steps. About half way along the top, 50 metres or so, is the Embankment Watchpoint (just a bench seat) Big Marsh photo that looks out over Big Marsh and is one of the best places to watch for any passage, including Marsh Harriers of which there has been seven in the past three years. Beyond this point is the river and the land and water east of here is private, belonging to Ladywood Shooting Club.

Retrace your steps through the woodland or alternatively cross the stile where the canal ends and follow the path. Follow the hedge and fence along the west side of Big Marsh and back via the Kennels. Return past the two small ponds to the gateway and entrance stile to Railway Marsh. The areas of water on this marsh can be difficult to see, but just through the gate is an area of slightly higher ground, so scan from there. Several species of duck are usually present, including Garganey sometimes. When water levels are low waders occur, mainly Snipe and Green Sandpiper, but also other species including a Little Stint that stayed for several days. A Spoonbill spent a week here in 1998, as did a Little Egret in 2002. to winter Cormorants sit in the dead, riverside trees, joining the resident Grey Herons. There is a small, shallow pool as you near the railway bridge that has Little Grebe and Ruddy Duck in addition to the species found on the marsh.

Cross the front of the bridge hole and go over a stile onto the path beside the railway. Where a small stream runs under the path, about 200 metres along, Water Rail and Grey Wagtail are sometimes seen. The stream forms the south western boundary of the reserve, but the adjacent field, which belongs to Plumtree Farm, has an interesting flooded area with small islets. Check the margins for waders and this is a particularly good spot for finding Jack Snipe. There are often Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers in the willows and the low branches over the water are used by Kingfishers; Little Owls prefer the pollarded willows near the footpath. The footpath takes you back to the A610 road bridge and Plumtree Road.

Parking

From the A610 take the Langley Mill exit off the carriageway towards town from the roundabout. Turn right into Cromford Road and after about 1/2 mile, where the road turns sharp left, go directly ahead into Plumtree Road and park before the A610 bridge.

Alternatively, follow Cromford Road around the sharp left hand bend and up the hill to the crossroads and turn right into Aldercarr Lane. After about 1 mile fork right into Boat Lane and park above the Stoneyford Lodge Inn. Continue on foot past the front of the pub and over the railway bridge until you reach the Kennels and the Reserve.

Maps

Ordnance Survey. 'Street Atlas of Notts'. Philip's, London. OS Explorer Maps 260 and 270