Owner:Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service

Habitat:A restored colliery complex. The main features are three ponds. The first one known as Pond One has a large Phragmites Reed bed and shallow water areas. The rest of the site has wildflower meadows and young broadleafed plantations.

Access:This site is on the Five Pits Trail and can be reached on foot from Grassmoor Country Park or by parking at SK431673 off the Temple Normanton to Heath road. Although the Business Park now dominates this site, it is well worth a second look. A new Five Pits Trail leaflet is available from Derbyshire County Council Countryside Service, The Countryside Centre, 23 Market Street Clay Cross Chesterfield Derbyshire S45 9JE 01246 866960 or email, claycrosscountryside@Derbyshire.gov.uk

Specialities: Migrant Hawker Aeshna mixta. The odd surprise has turned up including Banded Demoiselle Calopteryx splendens.

Other Natural History Interest in the summer: With a bird list of 200, this reserve is in the top five sites in the county with daily coverage by ace birder Steve Mann. It rates 3rd out of 120 sites in the British Trust for Ornithology's Constant Effort Ringing scheme, thanks to the dedication of the Sorby Breck Ringing Group led by Oly Biddulph. The reed bed is home to at least 25 singing Reed Warblers. Williamthorpe is one of the largest strongholds of this species in Derbyshire. Sedge and Grasshopper Warblers can also be found. Pond One has Ruddy Duck and the waters edge is always worth a check for waders moving through. Butterflies enjoy the grassy rides and woodland edges. There is a bird hide. A key is available for a small deposit from The Clay Cross Countryside Centre. >

Associated Sites:The Five Pits Trail

Grub Stops: Darter Class: Tom's Tucker in the village of Holmewood SK 436667 a classic greasy cob shop. Darter Class cob shop with the mega sized 'Flat' cobs at the corner of Searston Avenue at SK 430657.