Moor Piece Nature Reserve

This block of semi-natural woodland is dominated by Birch, with a fringe of conifers along the northwestern boundary. To the north of Rabbit Lane the Birch has naturally self-seeded onto what was in the past an open area of peat bog. Whilst the vegetation is dominated by tussocks of Purple Moor-grass, bog plants such as Sphagnum moss, Bog Asphodel, Cranberry and Cross-leaved Heath are still evident. A block of the woodland adjacent to Rabbit Lane has a dense understorey of Rhododendron, the spread of which is being controlled. Over 80 species of bird have been recorded from the site, of which 38 have been confirmed as breeding. The main ornithological significance lies in the population of breeding Spotted Flycatcher and Marsh Tit. The site is also locally important for warblers, in particular the Wood Warbler and Tree Pipits. The woodland to the south of Rabbit Lane is generally drier and has a greater proportion of Oak, although a small watercourse through the compartment supports many Alder trees.