About the reserve

The water-filled pit was created when material was quarried in order to build the adjacent railway embankment and Five Arches bridge. The pit and the area surrounding it developed a rich variety of wetland features, from mature willows and dense scrub to reedbeds and open water. From the footpath there are views of the open water and reedbed through the branches of the willows. Along the stone surface of the path grow collared earth star fungus.

Many birds call this site home, including warblers and water rail. A long running recording scheme regularly records more than 30 breeding bird species. Occasionally, marsh harrier and grey heron have been known to breed in the reedbed and willows.

To maintain the wetland, we coppice and pollard areas of willow on rotation.

Additional information

• Scroll down to see the reserve boundary. Please note the boundary map is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary. 

FOR ANY MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:   communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org or 01954 713500 and ask for comms team.