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It is a site of 14.5 acres (5.9 ha.) comprising a block of semi-natural broadleaved woodland with adjacent areas of species-rich, scrubby grassland on the southern-facing slopes of the Mendip Hills. The woodland is species-rich with a fairly typical Mendip limestone woodland flora.
Highlights: There is a main badger sett within the reserve and the reserve is rich in small mammals with field vole, common shrew, wood mouse, water shrew, yellow-necked mouse and dormouse all recorded. Lesser horseshoe bats have a relatively large summer roost locally and use the reserve to hunt.
Roe deer are numerous and cause much damage to seedlings and coppice re-growth but do help prevent scrub encroachment.
Buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, peregrine and raven breed locally and are recorded over the reserve. Green woodpeckers are frequently visitors to the anthills of the grassland and the scrub is frequented in summer by a range of warblers including blackcap.
Adders are relatively common in the dry grassland while viviparous lizards have been recorded.
The site supports a rich invertebrate community with a number of butterfly species occurring including brown argus and marbled white. Location: Access is by the footpath north from Bradley Cross through Owley. Parking highly restricted.
Grid Reference: ST 471 536
Mascall's Wood Nature Reserve
The reserve lies less than 1 km to the east of Cheddar, on the southern slopes of the Mendips.It is a site of 14.5 acres (5.9 ha.) comprising a block of semi-natural broadleaved woodland with adjacent areas of species-rich, scrubby grassland on the southern-facing slopes of the Mendip Hills. The woodland is species-rich with a fairly typical Mendip limestone woodland flora.
Highlights: There is a main badger sett within the reserve and the reserve is rich in small mammals with field vole, common shrew, wood mouse, water shrew, yellow-necked mouse and dormouse all recorded. Lesser horseshoe bats have a relatively large summer roost locally and use the reserve to hunt.
Roe deer are numerous and cause much damage to seedlings and coppice re-growth but do help prevent scrub encroachment.
Buzzard, sparrowhawk, kestrel, peregrine and raven breed locally and are recorded over the reserve. Green woodpeckers are frequently visitors to the anthills of the grassland and the scrub is frequented in summer by a range of warblers including blackcap.
Adders are relatively common in the dry grassland while viviparous lizards have been recorded.
The site supports a rich invertebrate community with a number of butterfly species occurring including brown argus and marbled white. Location: Access is by the footpath north from Bradley Cross through Owley. Parking highly restricted.
Grid Reference: ST 471 536
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