Broadmoor Common Local Nature Reserve

Grid Ref: SO602366

This 35.65 acre site in Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is designated a local nature reserve. The species rich grassland and woodland is managed appropriately for nature conservation in association with the local commoners.

On the minor road between Mordiford and Woolhope (next to Haugh Wood).

Further Information

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) are designated for both wildlife and people, offering special opportunities to learn about nature or simply to enjoy it. ‘Local Nature Reserve’ is a statutory designation made by local authorities under Section 21 of the ‘National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949’.

What is a common?

Commons are a legacy from the past when most land was considered wild and used ‘in common’ by local people for grazing livestock. Many rights to use land ‘in common’ were removed during the middle ages by the feudal system, but some have survived.

In present times the land is owned by someone, but certain people other than the landowner still have rights, for example to graze a specified number of animals, on the common. These people are known as 'commoners', and their rights are attached to local properties, such as farms.

Access Land

Access land is the land shaded with a 'peach' coloured boundary on OS Explorer maps.

It is your right under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act, to roam freely on foot across mapped access land and common land. However to avoid disturbing wildlife at this nature reserve, we would ask that people try to use mown or signed paths where they are available.

Please remember that much of this land is privately owned and is still used for grazing. You must comply with any restrictions that are displayed at car parks and access points.

Some General Do’s and Don’ts

Excepted Activities

While most of the activities carried out on foot, like walking, sightseeing, bird watching, picnicking,climbing and running are allowed on access land the rights do not entitle you to:

• ride a horse or bicycle
• drive a vehicle
• camp
• hang-glide or paraglide
• use a metal detector
• take part in organised games or commercial activities
• take any animal other than a dog
• remove anything from the area  (like stones, fallen wood or plants.)

This does not affect rights or activities that already exist - like the right to ride or cycle along bridleways, or more widely where this has been the tradition.

Control of Dogs

Please keep your dog under control and take notice of any special restrictions, this is to protect wildlife including nesting birds and livestock in the area.

Dogs must be on a fixed lead, no more than 2 metres long whenever livestock are near, and at ALL TIMES from 1st March to 31st July so that they do not disturb nesting birds and other wildlife.  Dogs may be excluded completely from grouse moors (or lambing enclosures at lambing time) if the land owner wishes. 

Look out for local notices which might for example extend or relax the period for keeping dogs on a short lead.

Dogs that are attacking or threatening livestock can legally be shot.  Dog owners should always keep their dogs under proper control.

Wildlife and Management

Broadmoor Common represents a fine example of a flower-rich ancient grassland. This type of little disturbed habitat is not only increasingly rare, but also an attractive and interesting place to observe some of our scarcer flora and fauna.

In fact Broadmoor also supports areas of woodland, scrub and ponds, and it is this patchwork of habitat that makes this site valuable; not only for wildflowers, but an interesting range of birds, butterflies and amphibians.

This type of habitat although centuries old, is semi-man made and maintained by sensitive grazing and cutting of grass, scrub and trees. These practices continue today and remain essential to the good management of the site.

The changing seasons at Broadmoor Common

Spring

Cowslips, Wild Daffodils and Lady's Smock mark the arrival of spring. The latter attracting the pretty Orange Tip butterfly. Look out too for the pale yellow Brimstone or butter-coloured fly. Thought to be the origin of the name "Butterfly".

The spring bird migrants aren't usually far behind. Visitors to the site include several warblers, which nest in the scrub or at ground level amongst tall vegetation. Willow Warblers are usually the most numerous. Nightingales have also been recorded, though sadly not regularly in recent years.

Summer

The wildflowers are at their colourful best, with Knapweed, Fleabane and Betony creating a near carpet of purple and yellow. Broken occasionally by the white flowers of Sneezewort & Yarrow. Other scarcer but interesting species include Spiny Restharrow, Grass Vetchling & Heath Spotted Orchid.

The abundance of flowers and nectar sources attracts a myriad of insects, including many butterflies, no less than 26 species have been recorded here. Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Large Skippers are amongst the plentiful, but keep an eye out for the much scarcer Marbled White.

The birds become less vocal as the summer progresses but the attractive Linnet and Yellowhammer can often be seen flitting between the gorse bushes, which they favour for nesting. While Barn Owls are more likely to venture out in daylight with hungry mouths to feed.

In late summer and autumn the graziers often put stock on the common.

Autumn

The annual vegetation cut takes place in early autumn when the majority of plants have flowered and set seed. However some areas of late flowering species such as Black Knapweed and Devils Bit Scabious are left uncut as they provide an important nectar source for butterflies such as Red Admiral & Painted Lady and equally importantly over wintering habitat for some scarce invertebrates.

This is of course the season of mellow fruitfulness, and blackberries, rosehips and fungi are usually plentiful with the striking but poisonous, red and white Fly Agaric toadstool often numerous near to birch trees.

Winter

The quietist time of year on the common. However the lack of vegetation makes it easier to spot the Fallow Deer, which are often present. Also the seasonal ponds and wet areas attract occasional Snipe and duck. Whilst towards the end of winter these same wet areas are re-colonised by frogs and newts.

This is also the time of year that coppicing is undertaken periodically. Small areas of trees are felled to protect the grazing and wildflower habitat and prevent the common reverting to woodland.