Local Wildlife Site

Wildlife

The Copse is a small educational nature reserve, run by the Borough Council. It is largely wooded, with a canopy of sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) over an understorey of birch (Betula pendula), elder (Sambucus nigra) and willow (Salix sp.). Ivy (Hedera helix) scrambles up many of the trees, and the ground flora is dominated by cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris). It is well used by local schools, but is not accessible to the public. Across Normansfield Road from The Copse is the former Normansfield Hospital. This is currently disused and due for development. Much of the grounds are parkland, with some magnificent mature trees, including horse chestnuts (Aesculus hippocastanum), false acacias (Robinia pseudacacia) and a variety of conifers. In one area, these latter form a dense stand of woodland, with a number of species including Scots and Bhutan pines (Pinus sylvestris and P. wallichiana), wellingtonia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) and yew (Taxus baccata), interspersed with a few broadleaves such as pedunculate and holm oaks (Quercus robur and Q. ilex), London plane (Platanus x hispanica) and common lime (Tilia x europaea). The woodland has a well developed shrub layer of holly (Ilex aquilifolium), elder (Sambucus nigra), rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) and elm (Ulmus sp.). The woodland supports a good range of common birds, including coal tit, treecreeper, nuthatch and stock dove, and other animals. The redevelopment is expected to retain the woodland and mature trees. As part of a planning agreement, public access is permitted along the path across the site between Broom Road and Kingston Road.