How to get there

• Click here for Ordnance Survey map
• OS maps: Landranger Sheet 120, Explorer Sheet 269
• Approaching Bolsover on the A632 from Chesterfield, continue over the roundabout at the bottom of Bolsover Hill then first right on to Villas Road at the crossroads. At a 90 degree left bend, carry straight on to a rough track past some garages and follow this to the right towards the sewage works. Small parking area at SK462702 next to the Stockley Trail. Alternatively, turn right at the roundabout on Riverside Way to the new car park at the end of the road (SK463207). This is sign-posted Peter Fidler and Carr Vale Nature Reserves. The reserve is reached from here via a footpath over the reclaimed colliery tip
• Public transport: Stagecoach services from Chesterfield (Stephenson Place) all pass close to the reserve.

Overview

The reserve (site map) was created originally by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust (DWT) in 1992 from a mining subsidence pool now known as the Reserve Pond. Subsequent grants in 1996 and 1998 allowed 9 ha to the south to be developed as a group of flashes and marshy areas which now form the most productive area of the reserve. This core area is surrounded by hawthorn scrub, some arable areas and rough grassland, thereby creating a good mix of habitat in a fairly small area. To the north, along the footpath east of the River Doe Lea, lies the Peter Fidler Reserve managed by Derbyshire CC.

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Facilities

A network of paths runs along the flash complex and there is a raised observation mound providing excellent views over the wader scrapes. Additionally there is a viewing screen overlooking the southern reed bed (from which Bittern and Jack Snipe have been seen) and there is another viewing screen overlooking the northern side of Meadow Flash. Access 24 hours all year. There are several interpretive boards around the site and notices showing the previous couple of months occurrences are displayed on the observation mound and on the notice board adjacent to the reserve pond.

There are no toilet facilities on the reserve.

Likely species

The Carr Vale site list stands at an impressive 203 and includes 20 species of duck (seven of which have bred), 13 Raptors, 9 Warblers and 28 waders. Amongst the rarities recorded are Black Kite, Red-rumped Swallow, Avocet, Pectoral Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs, Gannet, Shag, Bittern, Little Egrets, Brent Goose, Quail, Wryneck and even nine Little Auks, as well as many passerines of note.

In winter the site is good for numerous Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and Gulls and if the conditions are right Pink-footed Geese and Whooper Swans. Smaller numbers of Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Goosander are seen, along with the occasional Shelduck and Goldeneye. Several bird feeding stations are maintained and the one on the observation mound attracts up to 35 Reed Buntings. Water Rail are regular at the Reserve Pond, but few waders overwinter apart from Golden Plover, Lapwing and a few Common Snipe. Raptors are represented mainly by Kestrel and Sparrowhawk, but Peregrines may be found on the electricity pylons to the west of the reserve, and Common Buzzard, Merlin and Barn Owl visit periodically.

Birds seen frequently during the spring and summer include Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Common Snipe, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Green and Common Sandpipers, Common Tern, Grasshopper Warbler (amongst nine species of breeding warbler), and later on Hobby and migrant Marsh Harrier and Osprey. Willow Tits are common but Marsh Tits are a mega-rarity, there being just three records and the last was in 1997.

Autumn migration watches produce large numbers of Meadow Pipits and Redwings along with smaller numbers of Rock Pipit, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin and occasional rarities like Snow Bunting and Woodlark.

Other points of interest

Carr Vale is very good for Dragonflies: 18 species including Emperor, Four-spotted Chaser, Black-tailed Skimmer, Ruddy Darter, Banded Demoiselle, Red-eyed Damsel, Common Hawker, and Broad-bodied Chaser. Butterflies are also well represented with 24 species on the list including Comma, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Clouded Yellow, Ringlet and Holly Blue. Mammals on offer are regular Roe Deer, Fox, Stoat, Weasel and Hare, whilst Water Voles can be searched for along the river banks. Harder to see but still nevertheless present in reasonable numbers are Water Shrews and Harvest Mice and the lush vegetation along the river hides a healthy population of Grass Snakes.

Click here for recent site records.

Click here for monthly bulletins supplied by Mark Beevers

Nearby sites

There are no nearby sites in the SBSG recording area, but Pleasley Colliery to the south-east is worth a visit; see the DOS site guide here.

Mark Beevers