Site No. 1 - Nature Alive!, Coalville
Grid Ref SK 422 150 Click here for map
Site Access
The rather bizarrely-named 'Nature Alive!' site is a superb tract of regenerated scrub and wetland habitat that has developed on a 'brownfield' site sandwiched between the A511 Coalville By-pass and a mineral rail line. Realising the potential of the area, North West Leicestershire District Council set the area aside as a nature reserve and invested a considerable sum in fencing, planting and providing an excellent network of footpaths and boardwalks. NWLDC now manage the site, with input from Leicestershire County Council.
The site is easily reached from the A511 Coalville Bypass, which runs around the north-eastern edge of the town. At the 'McDonalds Roundabout' follow signs towards the town centre and onto Thornborough Road. Turn an almost immediate right between 'Halfords' and 'Aldi'. The entrance path to 'Nature Alive!' is directly in line with the service road on which you are now travelling. The easiest parking is found in the 'Aldi' car park and there is always space available in the corner nearest to the entrance path.
Site Details
The water-filled ditch that runs between the car park and disused railway line was, until recently, a good site for Water Vole. This species, now very scarce in Leicestershire, seems to have vanished from the site but it is still worth checking this ditch and any other suitable area.
Follow the path up and over the first disused railway line and down under the brickwork tunnel below the second line. Nuthatch can sometimes be seen in the stand of mature Beach Trees at this spot. Immediately beyond the tunnel is an excellent small pond, on the right. Most dragonfly species present on the site have been recorded here.
Following the path round to the left, two old settling lagoons are passed. These lack emergent vegetation and are thus less productive for dragonflies but their vegetated margins do support a growing colony of Common Spotted Orchids. The 'Wildflower Meadow' on the opposite side of the path has recently been fitted with Rabbit netting which has greatly improved its flora. A good number of flowering Cowslips can now be enjoyed in the spring, with Bird's Foot Trefoil and clover supporting a small population of Common Blue butterflies.
This path leads next to a large Greater Reedmace fringed pond that was created by mining subsidence. Its margins, which are crossed by two boardwalks, can be quite productive for dragonflies while breeding Tufted Duck seem to be an annual feature. The marshy area at the northern-most end of this pond holds a number of Marsh Marigolds.
Just beyond the second boardwalk a new pond has been excavated in January 2003. Although seemingly intended to emulate the success of the Newt Pond it is rather steep sided and has been located in a somewhat dry area of the site. It remains to be seen whether it will fill to full capacity or actually hold water to any worthwhile level during the dry summer months.
In the western corner of the site is the Newt Pond, certainly the jewel of this excellent little reserve. The shallow, sandy-bottomed pool was created in a damp corner of the site and has been populated with an excellent selection of aquatic plants. As well as supporting a healthy population of Great Crested Newts it boasts one of the best selections of dragonflies in the whole of the District, many of which have been proven to have bred in this perfect setting. Short-sighted management policy had at one time dictated that this pond would be allowed to regenerate back to willow scrub, but recent reed clearing works indicate that good sense has prevailed and that the site owners intend to preserve this wonderful feature.
The more dense scrubby areas of the reserve support a number of breeding warbler species during the summer months, including Lesser Whitethroat. The whole site is also good for many common butterfly species, such as Speckled Wood, Ringlet and Holly Blue.
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 that has been proven to breed.
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.
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 that has been proven to breed.
Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta
The site supports a healthy population that has been proven to breed.
Emperor Dragonfly Anax imperator
The site supports a healthy population that has been proven to breed.
Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa
The site supports a healthy population that has been proven to breed.
Four-spotted Chaser Libellula quadrimaculata
Currently one of the scarcest species at the site, it is hoped that the clearance of the Newt Pond will promote an increase in population. Though ovipositing has been observed breeding is not yet proven.
Black-tailed Skimmer Orthetrum cancellatum
This specialist of newly created water bodies has not been recorded recently from the site as its requisite areas of bare waterside vegetation have disappeared. If the new pond does hold water then a temporary increase in records may result. Breeding is not 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.
Black Darter Sympetrum danae
A single mature male of this species, which is a known migrant, represents the sixth County record. It was seen on 8th September 2002 (below, photo © Ian Merrill).
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