About the reserve

This reserve has a series of shallow pools along the River Anker. Until the 1960's there was mining here by the Pooley Hall Colliery and mining subsidence formed the pools. It is a good place to spot birds, dragonflies and orchids through the different seasons.

Coal was mined here between 1848 and 1965 and this site would not exist if it was not for these mining operations, as the subsidence and flooding formed the complex habitat you see today. It is now an important site for a variety of water birds.

What might you spot?

Look out for crested grebe, tufted duck, pochard, shelduck, little ringed plover and reed warblers on the pools. You may spot the flash of turquoise of a hunting kingfisher or a Great white egret spearing fish with its long, sharp beak., A dozen varieties of dragonfly flit across the pools in spring and summer and if you fancy bug hunting you could find some of the many beetle species found here. 

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