Penny and I have been wardens at Nupend since 2013, although my own own involvement with HWT goes back 40 years.
Nupend is one of the jewels in the crown in the Woolhope Dome cluster of reserves. The wood is ancient as shown by the presence of Wild Service Trees. Yews survive in large numbers which grow along the limestone ridge producing a dense shade for the dry soil underneath. Some of the ash trees by the main track are due to be felled on account of Ash dieback. This will of course let more light into parts of the reserve.
There are two 19th century limestone quarries which were used to quarry limestone. This was burnt to produce quicklime and then put on surrounding fields. Fossils of ancient sea creatures such as crinoids can be found in fragments of stone in these quarries. The upper quarry is home to the rare Wild Liquorice plant. Traces of charcoal are visible in the earth bank bordering the main track leading to the reserve. This shows that charcoal making was an important cottage industry in times past, with many people working in the woods .
The south facing slopes below the old quarries form a large meadow. The meadow has a rich flora with many lime-loving plants : Stinking Iris, Greater Butterfly Orchid, Marjoram, Yellow-wort and the wonderfully named Ploughman’s Spikenard to name but a few.
Early Purple orchids are found here as are Pyramidal Orchids. In late winter, clumps of Stinking Hellebore may be found. In mid summer, the meadow is a riot of colour with Betony and Knapweed attracting a good range of insects. There is a good colony of Marbled White butterflies . 16 species of butterfly were recorded in 2021, but no Wood White this year.
Dormice boxes are scattered around the reserve, but the numbers of dormice have declined in 2021. Some of these boxes were home to nesting Blue and Great Tits who seemed to prefer the dormice boxes to the more conventional bird boxes. In 2021 there were 8 Great Tit nests which produced 28 fledglings. For Blue Tits 7 nests produced 32 young. Predation by Great Spotted Woodpeckers remains a problem here, but predators too need to breed.
There is a resident Tawny Owl in the upper quarry, and slowworms can be found beneath the tin in the meadow. There is much to value in this lovely reserve during all months of the year. For me, a highlight would be to walk through the meadow in mid July when the scent of Marjoram is all around, and Silver Washed Fritillaries and Marbled White butterflies are on the wing. Nupend is my idea of heaven !
Bob Hall
