Wild Woods at Sence Valley Forest Park

 

Mammals: Long grassy areas at the park have become home for many wild mammals including field voles, shrews, stoats, rabbits and foxes.
Signs are around that Water Voles are present on certain streams coming off of the River Sence and we are working to manage these sections to encourage these secretive and rare creatures to thrive.
It has recently become evident that otters too are once again using the River Sence, which flows through the park, as it's home. Work on encouraging otters to make the park their home more permenatly has begun.
With areas of woodland, water and open ground Sence Valley is a good area to watch out for bats. Among the species we know to be using the park are the Pipistrelle, Daubenton's and Noctule.

Birds: The forest park attracts a wide variety of bird species to the sight with an impressive list of over 150 different species being seen at the park since it's creation in 1998. The lakes provide habitat for species such as heron, coots, tufted duck, pochard, wigeon and great crested grebe. An artifical nesting wall on the banks of the Horseshoe lake provides much needed sites for Sand Martins visiting over the summer months. Kestrels successfully nest on site year on year and if you're very lucky you may even catch a glance at a Barn Owl or Short Eared Owl.

Insects and reptiles: During the summer months Sence Valley is awash with insects of all types. Butterflies which can be seen include Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Speckled Wood, Small skipper, Green Veined White, Peacock and Small tortoiseshell. Around the lakes damselflies such as Common Blue, Blue tailed and Azure as well as dragonflies like the Southern and Brown Hawker are also fairly abundant.

Habitats: Sence Valley is such a wildlife haven due to it's range of habitats. These include woodland (pine, mixed broadleaf and wet woodland), lakes, rivers and streams, seasonal wetland scrape, tusky grass areas and wildflower meadow.

How to get there:
On the A447 Ravenstone Road just North of Ibstock.

Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

	The car park is open daily from 08 30 until dusk each day. Please see signs in the car park for precise closing times. The entrance has a height restriction barrier of 2.2m. Anyone wishing to enter the site with a larger vehicle should contact the distict office on 01889 586593 at least 48 hours in advance of a visit.

	Surfaced trails and grass paths form a network of tracks throughout the park.			A cycle route links Heather village to the A447 Ravenstone Road at Ibstock.
	A Bridleway links Heather village to the A447 Ravenstone Road at Ibstock. See OS Explorer Map 245 for more details.			Allowed on Goss Water by permit available from Richards Field and Sport in Coalville tel 01530 815730.
	Bird Hide over looks Stonebridge Pool and a seasonal wetland scrape. Over 150 bird species have been recorded from the park. Otters and water voles are known to be present on site.			Look out for one of six Noon Columns that are dotted across The National Forest.
	An active volunteer group is based at this park providing a ranger service, fundraising and undertaking varied conservation projects. See what's on for dates of up coming tasks.

Contact:
Alan Dowell
Area Forester
01889 586593
e-mail: alan.dowell@forestry.gsi.gov.uk