<< back	Pools Brook Country Park	Grid Ref SK 43607370
List Species Common Name  Azure Damselfly  Banded Demoiselle  Black-tailed Skimmer  Blue-tailed Damselfly  Brown Hawker  Common Blue Damselfly  Emperor Dragonfly  Four-spotted Chaser  Red-eyed Damselfly  Southern Hawker	Owner:Chesterfield Borough Council Habitat:Located in the often forgotten part of Derbyshire. However with the habitat creation that has taken place Pools Brook Country Park is becoming popular with birders. This restored site was formerly the Ireland Colliery and associated spoil heaps. Reclaimed by Derbyshire County Council to create large areas of open water, broad leafed plantations, rough grasslands and wildflower meadows. It sits amongst a good area of wetland including Pools Brook Marsh, Seymour Junction, Netherthorpe Flash and Markham Reedbed. Access:This site is to be found south of Staveley off the Inkersall Road  The Country Park has a large free car park and visitor centre with toilet facilities. A second smaller car park is found by the main Angling pool marked on the OS Map with a P. There is a children's Play Area to be found by the Visitor Centre and another distraction for family visits are the radio controlled yachts which often grace the main lake.  Specialities:Sheer numbers are the glory of this site. On late summer days the nature Reserve meadows at SK 435738 and Seymour Junction SK 448734 can have upwards of 500 Common Darter Sympetrum striolatum. The River Doe Lea running through the northern boundary of the site is the main north east Derbyshire stronghold of the Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens.  Other Natural History in the summer: Water Voles can be seen on the Nature Reserve Pond. Skylarks over the young plantations and meadows. In late summer keep a weather eye open for migrant birds. Associated Sites:Carr Vale Nature Reserve. Netherthorpe SK444744 and Mastin Moor SK447757 are worth a wander. Grub Stop:The Country Park Community Café is open at weekends and is worth supporting if hunger pangs strike.