Strawberry Hill Heath
Type : Heathland
Introduction
This 23 hectare reserve is located on the eastern outskirts of Mansfield and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It has a long history as open heathland being part of the medieval Rainworth and Rufford Forests which stretched from Mansfield east towards Ollerton up until the early 20th Century.
About the reserve
Strawberry Hill itself consists of a circular area of sessile oak plantation, perhaps dating from the 1850s. Birch is common and the ground flora here is dominated by bracken and wavy hair-grass with some heather. Central areas of the site are largely dominated by heather and bracken, with patches of gorse and broom scrub. Tree cover varies greatly but over much of the site there is a scattering of oak and birch, with denser woodland around the edge of the site. Seventeen species of fungi have been recorded in the heathland areas together with many mosses and lichens. Areas of bare or sparsely-vegetated sandy ground amongst the heathers are valuable for invertebrates and reptiles, and over 40 species of beetle have been recorded across the site. At the north-eastern corner, ground subsidence has lead to the formation of a permanent water body that fluctuates in size.
Strawberry Hill itself consists of a circular area of sessile oak plantation, perhaps dating from the 1850s. Birch is common and the ground flora here is dominated by bracken and wavy hair-grass with some heather. Central areas of the site are largely dominated by heather and bracken, with patches of gorse and broom scrub. Tree cover varies greatly but over much of the site there is a scattering of oak and birch, with denser woodland around the edge of the site. Seventeen species of fungi have been recorded in the heathland areas together with many mosses and lichens. Areas of bare or sparsely-vegetated sandy ground amongst the heathers are valuable for invertebrates and reptiles, and over 40 species of beetle have been recorded across the site. At the north-eastern corner, ground subsidence has lead to the formation of a permanent water body that fluctuates in size.
Conservation management
The principal objective is to encourage open, heather-dominated heathland and associated plants by periodic mowing and grazing. Steps are being undertaken to control anti-social behaviour which are causing problems on parts of the site.
The principal objective is to encourage open, heather-dominated heathland and associated plants by periodic mowing and grazing. Steps are being undertaken to control anti-social behaviour which are causing problems on parts of the site.
How to get there
Access is via Jubilee Way South, Mansfield (SK570603).
Access is via Jubilee Way South, Mansfield (SK570603).
Further Information
If you would like further details about this and our other reserves, or to find how you can support our work in the county, please call Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust on 0115 958 8242.
If you would like further details about this and our other reserves, or to find how you can support our work in the county, please call Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust on 0115 958 8242.
