Moorbridge Pond
Type : Wetland
The site is situated in the Bulwell district of Nottingham and covers more than 2.5 hectares.
It is managed by the Trust under licence from Nottingham City Council.
About the reserve
This site is of considerable importance being one of the very few wetlands left within the city boundary. Moorbridge Pond is situated around the original “Bull Well”, a freshwater spring, and is the last remnant of a piece of wetland formerly known as Bulwell Bogs. The site was a popular bathing haunt for local people when the area had more open water. The spring has since been capped and now enters the River Leen some way down stream. The old course of the River Leen, which once ran through the site, can still be seen. The marsh is dominated by greater reedmace and tufted sedge with smaller stands of lesser pond sedge and reed grass. A number of attractive plants can be found growing amongst the sedges including hairy willow herb, skullcap, lady’s smock, hemp agrimony, figwort and yellow flag. A few willows and alders fringe the marsh whilst the drier slopes support grassland and gorse communities. The marsh, a breeding site for the reed bunting and reed warbler, is also visited by whitethroat, linnet, bullfinch, song thrush, wren, snipe, kestrel and yellowhammer. The pond provides an excellent habitat for both common frog and toad whilst the drier sandy slopes are favoured by the common lizard.
Conservation management
The primary objective is to maintain and enhance the open water and marshland communities. Regular management includes pond clearance and litter removal. More recent improvements have included restoring the paths and the provision of educational facilities for local schools.
How to get there
Located in the Bulwell area on Bestwood Road off Hucknall Road, access is via a gate
(SK: 547465). A path has been laid which links with the boardwalk that crosses parts of the marsh. The site is open to the public.
Further Information
If you would like further details about the reserve, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of the site, please call the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust office on 0115 958 8242.
This nature reserve has recently been restored thanks to funding through the Carillion ‘Natural Habitats’ initiative which has seen £25,000 donated to Wildlife Trust nature reserves across the UK.
