About the reserve

This reserve is contained within a large triangular enclosure which forms part of a steep-sided valley. The site has many springs, so a large part of the land is waterlogged for much of the year. It is a mosaic of culm grassland and woodland, crisscrossed with rides and paths. The marbled white butterfly has been in decline in recent years, but can be seen here from late June through to August. Long grass, particularly red fescue, provides a sympathetic habitat for these attractive butterflies.The willow tit is a scarce bird in Cornwall and a speciality of the culm, more or less restricted to wet willow woodlands.