Himley Hall, Himley
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Nature Reserves
The borough has seven Local Nature Reserves and one National Nature Reserve, all designated for their important features. They are open 7 days a week. They include Saltwells LNR, Buckpool and Fens Pools LNR, Barrow Hill LNR, Cotwall End Valley LNR, Bumble Hole LNR and Wren's Nest LNR and NNR.
Buckpool and Fens Pools Nature Reserve
As the largest area of open water in Dudley, the Fens Pools are important for migrating and over-wintering waterfowl, regularly attracting ducks such as Shoveler and Gadwall. The smaller ponds north of the Pools are the habitat of huge numbers of frogs, toads and newts, including the Great Crested Newt which has sadly declined in numbers in Britain in recent years.
Barrow Hill Local Nature Reserve
Barrow Hill is one of the most significant and well-loved areas of green space in the Borough. It supports our largest and most diverse area of grassland, ancient woodland, ponds with populations of Great Crested Newt and other important habitats and species.
Saltwells Local Nature Reserve
Lady Dudley planted Saltwells Wood in the eighteenth century to hide the scars of coal mining. Within the wood is Doulton's Claypit with spectacular cliffs showing a section through the rocks of the Middle and Lower Coal Measures.
Wren's Nest National Nature Reserve
Wren's Nest is of international importance for its geology and is visited and studied by geologists from all over the world. Over 400 million years ago the area where Dudley now stands was covered by coral reefs and tropical seas.
© 2005 - 2008 Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Council House, Priory Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HF