Site No. 2 - New Lount Nature Reserve
Grid Ref SK 397 184 Click here for map
Site Access
New Lount Local Nature Reserve lies on the site of what was once New Lount Colliery yard, it's associated stocking area and tips, just to the south of the village of Newbold Coleorton. A fantastic mosaic of succession habitats now covers the area and it is hard to believe that the site was ever a thriving coal mine.
New Lount Colliery produced its last coal back in 1968. The site was then abandoned for nearly twenty years, in which time it was gradually populated by a wealth of flora and fauna. In 1986, as part of an opencast coal mining project to the north of the site, the old tips were remodelled with a reduction in height from 50 m to 34 m above ground level. Various other restoration works were carried out by British Coal, in particular the creation of three large pools set at high level on the site of the old tip. These pools were created to save wildlife threatened by the opencast works and a total of fifty excavator loads of marshland and grassland plants were transferred to the site.
In 1997 the site was acquired by Leicestershire County Council who instigated further improvements, funded from various sources, before formally opening the area to the public. A more recent development is the agreement with Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust to manage the site.
To reach the site from the 'Ashby North' junction of the A42, first follow the A512 to the east, signposted to Loughborough. Just past Coleorton Hall turn left onto the B5324, Rempstone Road. After around two kilometres turn left, onto Melbourne Road, signposted to Newbold Coleorton and Staunton Harold. After three hundred metres, and just beyond the right turn to Newbold Coleorton village (School Lane), the turning to New Lount Nature Reserve will be seen on the left. It is instantly recognisable by its splendid blue and green, wildlife-themed iron gates. The car park is set back from the gates, next to a pleasantly shaded picnic area. Here a series of well-produced information boards detail the history of the site and identify colliery features still visible on the ground today.
Note that the gates are locked at night, with opening hours being 09.30 to 19.00 May to September and 09.30 to 16.00 October to April.
Site Details
From the car park follow either of the two narrow footpaths which both lead to the open area around the site of the old screens, stores and railway sidings. This open area holds a small colony of Dingy Skippers, as well as Common Blues and Ringlets that frequent the whole of the site. Extensive moth trapping has been carried out in the vicinity of the car park, producing such localised species as Alder Kitten, Angle-striped Sallow, Blotched Emerald and Ear Moth.
As one follows the wide concrete road away from the car park steel rail tracks and the remains of an old turntable can be seen. Turn right to the long set of steps that lead up the old colliery tip bank. At the top of the steps the birch woodland opens out into a magnificent meadow area, surrounding two large pools. A smaller third pool is dominated by Greater Reedmace and is hence of greatly reduced wildlife value.
Wild flowers and butterflies abound in the meadows covering the old tip, with the blue expanses of Devilsbit Scabious being particularly impressive. The damp margins of the first of the two pools support great numbers of Common Spotted Orchids and also Ragged Robin. The dense emergent vegetation that surrounds this pool is ideal for damselflies, while the larger dragonfly species haunt the open water in good numbers. The distinctive calls of the Green Woodpecker are invariably heard whilst one enjoys the dragonflies at this particular location.
The vegetation of the second pool, which is equipped with a dipping platform, is subtly different from the first and hence supports a subtly different dragonfly population. The pool's margins are less well vegetated with emergent species and hence the first pool is the best site for the smaller damselfly species. The surface of the second pond is, however, virtually covered with Broad-leafed Pondweed. The presence of this floating vegetation means that this is the chosen spot for the site's main speciality species, the Red-eyed Damselfly. This is a very local species in North West Leicestershire and, despite noticeable variations in numbers over successive years, can usually be found if a thorough search is made during it's favoured June/July flight period.
Following the footpath that skirts the second pool, and down a second set of steps on its far side, another small pond is found, set amongst the birch woodland. This pool holds various dragonfly species and is also apparently a regular site for Grass Snake. Following this path round to the left completes a circular walk ending back at the old railway sidings.
Dragonfly status on the site
Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens
The lack of running water on the site means that this species has only been recorded a few times as a passage species.
Emerald Damselfly Lestes sponsa
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula
The site supports a healthy population that has been proven to breed.
Blue-tailed Damselfly Ischnura elegans
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Common Blue Damselfly Enallagma cyathigerum
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Red-eyed Damselfly Erythromma najas
The site supports a small population that has been proven to breed. This species is confined to the pool furthest from the car park, the surface of which is covered with Broad-leafed Pondweed. The population appears to vary markedly from year to year.
Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Southern Hawker Aeshna cyanea
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata
The site supports a small population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Ruddy Darter Sympetrum sanguineum
The site supports a healthy population and though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
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