Cop Lane

The nature reserve was once part of a railway-line from Preston to Southport. It contains a wealth of wild flowers, which provide a colourful display in spring and summer. The site consists of a steep bank with a level area at its base. The level area supports a remnant of the neutral and calcareous grassland flora that had developed on the old railway siding. In spring, look out for distinctive flowers such as ragged robin, angelica and mayflower in the wetter areas and oxeye daisy and bird's-foot trefoil in the drier areas. The railway embankment is scrub-covered, with a predominance of bramble and hawthorn. These provide cover and food for birds and nectar for insects. Successful management of the site has retained five species of orchid. Common spotted, bee, northern marsh and early marsh orchids and common twayblade have all been recorded here. Over thirty bee orchid spikes have been counted in some years. Please be careful, as the grassland is particularly sensitive to trampling. Common twayblades, especially, are difficult to see at first glance and even the most observant botanist has been known to find one under his or her boot! The patches of goat willow and hawthorn and the diverse flora attract and support good insect populations and provide food, roosting and nesting sites for many birds. Many of the more common woodland birds can be seen here, including blue tit, willow warbler, great tit and blackbird. The rich variety of plants also attracts small tortoiseshell, red admiral, painted lady, wall brown, common brown and orange tip butterflies.