Purwell Ninesprings
A wetland haven for birds and water voles
The open water attracts moorhen, mallard and in winter, teal. The reedbed is home to several pairs of reed warbler as well as water rails. In winter, buntings roost among the reeds and snipe feed in the meadow. The fen meadow is rich in wetland plants. Ragged robin, marsh bedstraw, marsh marigold and meadow vetchling may be found amongst the dominant rushes and sedges.
The wet alder woodland is known as 'carr' and other trees include ash, willow and oak. The wet ground condition encourages tussock sedge, yellow iris and water forget-me-not. Siskins feed on alder seeds in winter. The old hedgerow at the north end of the reserve includes hazel, hawthorn blackthorn and crab apple.
Kingfishers are breeding on the reserve having been absent from the area for some time. The ditches and water areas support water voles.
Autumn/Winter
Following the large amount of work towards the end of winter 2010 the reserve is looking a lot greener. As part of the restoring wetlands for water voles project a range of work has taken place, including alder removal, ditch clearance, willow pollarding and pond creation.
The large alders on the reserve often attract siskin and redpoll flcoks so scan the trees for these beautiful winter visitors.
A new boardwalk and viewing platform has been installed together with a viewing platform on the playing field side of the reserve to allow visitors to glimpse wetland wildlife. A circular walk is now possible through part of the reserve as steps have been installed and this will hopefully be way-marked to guide visitors round. Interpretation will be installed soon which will provide visitors with a range of information about the reserve.
Various birds have bred on the reserve this year, including reed bunting and sedge warbler. Some new nest boxes have been installed by the warden which will benefit birds next year.
