Wild Walks – River Arrow

From the first way marker, follow the mown path to the right, walking away from the pond, with the hedgerow on your right into the South Field.  Hedgerows form vital wildlife corridors for birds, insects and mammals to move from one area to another.  They also provide cover, breeding areas and feeding sites.  Mammals such as bank vole, harvest mouse and hedgehog nest and feed in the hedgerows.  The Friends of River Arrow manage the hedgerows using traditional methods for the benefits of all kinds of creatures.

The path now begins to turn left, directing you towards the river.  As well as supporting small mammals such as voles and mice, the hedgerow also supports a number of bat species, such as the Natterer’s bat, which use them as green commuter routes for foraging and roosting. 

As the path bends round on itself, you will have views of the river to the right.  To your left, views over the meadow which supports a number of grassland species, including grass snake.  Our largest snake, the Grass Snake, particularly likes wetland habitats, but can also be found in dry grasslands and in gardens, especially those with a pond nearby.  Like all reptiles, Grass Snakes hibernate, usually from October to April. During the summer, they can be found basking near favourite ponds or even swimming.

A Black Poplar feature tree was planted in 2017 to add aesthetic and biological value to the reserve.  Black Poplar was chosen due to its rarity and its particular value for moths.

The path through this part of the reserve hugs the river and takes you towards a wooden boardwalk.  Keep an eye for Butterflies including Speckled Wood, Peacock and Red Admiral.

Follow the path, with a cluster of Oak Trees to your left.  In this area of woodland the iconic mature English Oak can be spotted amongst the tree cover.  Mature oak trees are vitally important as they support more life forms than any other native tree, whether that be by providing food, directly or indirectly, as well as shelter and nesting sites.

Continuing into the meadow, the North Field has a great variety of grasses and wildflowers.  In summer walk through the meadow and fill you head with the scents and sights of common sorrel, white yarrow flowers, bright yellow buttercups, yellow rattle seed and bird’s foot trefoil. 

From this way marker, you might like to take a slight diversion away from the way marked trail for views of the old Weir and the rushing River Arrow. The winding banks edged with Willows, Alder, Oak and Hawthorn provide ideal perches for kingfishers.  In places the banks gives way to a slopping pebble beach which provides the perfect spot for reeds and other wetland plants as well as offering an attractive feeding area for many birds and insects such as grey wagtails and several scare county beetles.  A great spot for wildlife encounters.

This area has an interesting history which dates back to the middle ages.  The weir here would divert water to the Mill, via a leat.  The Mill dates back to at least 1241 and has links to the monks of Alcester.  It was converted for needle-making and renamed Ragley Mill in 1805.  The mill eventually closed in 1920 and was used a farm build before being converted into dwellings in the 1980’s.  The old Ragley Mill sits just off the present day reserve on private property. 

The Oaks in this wood support dense growths of Ivy.  Contrary to popular belief, the creeping plant is not a parasite and doesn’t harm the trees.  The yellow green flowers are a great source of nectar for autumn insects including honeybees and red admiral butterflies.  Ivy also provides roosting sites for bats and birds, and a home for hibernating insects like Brimstone butterflies.

Alder and Willow dominate the wetter areas of woodland.  Alder is the only British native deciduous, or broadleaf, tree to develop cones.  These cones are the female catkins, which stay on the tree year round. Oaks support a variety of invertebrate species which in turn provide food for Woodpeckers and again, roosting spots for bats. 

Sedges and rushes can be found amongst the ground flora.  How to tell the difference between a sedges, grass and reed?                                                               

Reeds are round

Sedges have edges

Grasses are everything else!