Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve

Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve

Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve
Harvey Street (near)
Oswaldtwistle
Accrington
Lancashire
BB5 3HS

Tel: 01772 324 129
E-Mail: jlamb@lancswt.org.uk

Web: Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve

About Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve

Hidden away in a shallow valley in the heart of Oswaldtwistle, Foxhill Bank Nature Reserve is historically linked to local industry as well as providing an excellent urban site for wildlife. The value of this reserve is its mixture of habitats in such a small area. The lodges were originally constructed for storing water for the dyeing and printing of fabrics at the works owned by the Brewer family next to Tinker Brook.

Having fallen into disuse and ruin, some major work was needed to convert the lodges from concrete-sided reservoirs into their present-day form. Vegetation has since colonised the lodges producing a mosaic of open water, Reedmace, Soft, Hard and Jointed Rush and newly planted Common Reed. This, along with the undisturbed scrub and bramble, provides seclusion for Coots, Moorhens, Mallard and many warblers. The banks of the brook provide an ideal habitat for mosses, lichens and liverworts where they thrive on the shaded, moist conditions. Broad Buckler and Male Ferns can be seen emerging from the cracks in the stone.

The woodland (a small area of Sycamore and Ash between the Brook and Foxhill Bank Lodge), dense scrub and wetland communities provide good cover, food and breeding facilities for a variety of birds including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, Reed Bunting and Blackcap. The marginal vegetation in the lodges provides cover for various warblers, waterfowl and dragonflies. Damselflies, once called 'devil's darning needles'; can often be seen hovering in the lodge vegetation and there is an abundance of Pond Skaters. The lodges create a good habitat for Common Frogs, Common Toads and Smooth Newts. In winter you may see a Heron which is an occasional visitor.