Nagshead
{{Short description|Woodland reserve in Gloucestershire}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox park
| name = RSPB Nagshead
| photo = Nagshead 032.jpg
| photo_width = 240
| photo_caption = Visitor centre
| type = RSPB Reserve
| location = Parkend, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, UK
| map = Gloucestershire
| map_caption = Nagshead nature reserve shown within Gloucestershire
| coords = {{coord|51|46|05|N|2|33|56|W|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|1250|acre}}
| created =
| operator = RSPB and Forestry England
| visitation_num =
| status = Open all year
}}
Nagshead is a woodland reserve, located on the western edge of Parkend, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, and is home to RSPB Nagshead. The site is listed in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review'.Forest of Dean District Local Plan Review, adopted November 2005, Appendix D 'Nature Conservation Site Designations Within the Forest of Dean District', Key Wildlife Sites, Item 205 (Nagshead & Barnhill Plantations) & 206 (Nagshead SSSI (including Fetter Hill & Fairmoor Green))
More than half of the reserve consists of 19th-century oak woodland, which is now managed solely for its conservation and landscape value.
In 1942, nest boxes were erected at Nagshead, in the hope that pied flycatchers would control oak leafroller moth larva, which were defoliating trees needed for the war effort. In 1948, the ornithologist, Bruce Campbell, began recording detailed observations of the boxes and they have been continually monitored ever since; making it the UK's longest-running bird breeding programme.The Dean Nestbox Study 1942–1964, BRUCE CAMPBELL. Forestry (magazine), volume 41, Issue 1, pages 27-46.
Nagshead includes a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).[http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/sssi_details.cfm?sssi_id=1002445 Natural England SSSI information on citation, map and unit details]
Facilities
Image:Nagshead Campbell Hide.jpg
The reserve is open all year. Entrance and car parking are free.
Facilities include;
- Visitor centre and toilets (open at weekends during the summer).
- Large car park.
- Two viewing hides.
- Two way-marked walks (1 mile and 2.25 miles).
- Picnic area.
- Information boards.
Flora and Fauna
=Birds=
Birdlife in the reserve includes great spotted woodpecker, Eurasian nuthatch, northern goshawk and common buzzard. Breeding birds include common redstart, pied flycatcher, and common crossbill and wood warbler, some typical species of woodlands in the west of Britain. Redwing, hawfinch and Eurasian woodcock can be found in winter.{{cite web |title=Nagshead |url=https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/nagshead/ |publisher=RSPB |accessdate=28 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Nagshead Nature Reserve |url=https://www.forestryengland.uk/nagshead-nature-reserve |publisher=Forestry England |accessdate=28 August 2020}}
=Other wildlife=
More than 30 different butterflies and 20 dragonflies and damselflies have been seen at Nagshead. 8 of Britain's 12 reptiles and amphibians breed here; common lizard, slowworm, adder, grass snake, common frog, common toad, smooth newt and palmate newt.
Wild boar also roam Nagshead, but these are rarely seen.
Nagshead SSSI
{{Main|Nagshead SSSI}}
A relatively small area of Nagshead reserve is designated a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest. This comprises 120.12 hectares and lies adjacent to the Nagshead Plantation, with the B4234 running through the middle of it.[http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/map.aspx?map=sssi&feature=1002445,sssi,HYPERLINK,LABEL Natural England - Nature on the Map for Nagshead SSSI] It is in the region of Nagshead Hill, Cleave Hill and Fetter Hill.[http://getamap.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/getamap/frames.htm?mapAction=gaz&gazName=g&gazString=SO6085009050 Ordnance Survey Get-a-map for grid reference SO608090]
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
- [http://www.rspb.org.uk Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)]
- [https://www.forestryengland.uk/nagshead-nature-reserve Nagshead Nature Reserve Forestry England webpage]
- [http://www.naturalengland.org.uk Natural England] (SSSI information)
- [http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/n/nagshead/about.aspx RSPB Nagshead, official website]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdjU6Mn2bTU&feature=player_embedded Promotional video for RSPB Nagshead]
Bibliography
RSPB Nagshead Trail Guide (leaflet)
{{SSSIs Gloucs biological}}
Category:Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reserves in England
Category:Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Gloucestershire