STATUS
The reserve covers forty-four acres of mixed woodland, managed in agreement with the Forestry Commission.
PENDARVES WOOD
| CLASSIFICATION
STATUS The reserve covers forty-four acres of mixed woodland, managed in agreement with the Forestry Commission. |
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TYPE OF HABITAT
Mixed woodland glades and ornamental lake covering 16.4ha.
ACCESS
OS map ref SW 640 376
Take extra care during felling operations.
From the 83303 3Icn (2 miles) south of Cambome, entrance is on the left.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The main feature of the wood is the River Connor which runs into a lake, created in the late 18th century. The woodland has been altered throughout time, particularly in the years 1815-20 when it was enclosed and landscaped by the PendArves family. A number of exotic shrubs remain. The tree species are unusually varied for a Cornish wood. Evergreen oak and the occasional lime occur alongside beech and English oak; with alder and willow in wet areas. The encroachment of laurel and rhododendron has shaded out the undergrowth in many areas and much has been done to clear these invasive plants. The resulting clearings have been colonized by opportunist plants, especially rose-bay willowherb and foxglove. A colourful moss forms an orange carpet amongst charred laurel stumps. More recently several of the clearings have been replanted. The lake was heavily overgrown with water lilies, pondweeds, water starwort and water crowfoot. In 1983 it was drained and partially cleared of silt.
| SPECIES OF PARTICULAR INTEREST | |
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Green and great spotted woodpeckers can often be heard. In summer watch for spotted fly-catchers darting by. A pair of swans may often be seen on the lake. In winter parties of long-tailed tits forage among the shrubs. Grey squirrels and mink, two introduced animals, live in the reserve. Over ten species of dragonfly and damselfly occur, notably the small red damselfly. |
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