Alvecote Pools
Encyclopedia
Alvecote Pools is an SSSI
(Site of Special Scientific Interest) and nature reserve situated alongside the River Anker
, adjacent to the hamlet of Alvecote
on the border of Warwickshire
and Staffordshire
. The majority of the reserve lies in the former county. Consisting of two discrete areas, Pooley Fields and Alvecote Meadows, the site covers 128 hectares in total and is the largest SSSI in Warwickshire. First notified in 1955, the site has been owned by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
since 1997.
The site is effectively a series of shallow pools alongside the river that have arisen as an effect of colliery subsidence from Alvecote Colliery, which was later merged to form North Wariwckshire Colliery and which ceased operation in 1965. As well as the expected wetland
habitat, there are areas of fen, reedbed and woodland. As a result, the area is regionally important for birdlife, and over 100 species are reported annually, with between 60 and 70 breeding. The site is also important for beetles, with 322 species recorded, and spiders (121 species).
Site of Special Scientific Interest
A Site of Special Scientific Interest is a conservation designation denoting a protected area in the United Kingdom. SSSIs are the basic building block of site-based nature conservation legislation and most other legal nature/geological conservation designations in Great Britain are based upon...
(Site of Special Scientific Interest) and nature reserve situated alongside the River Anker
River Anker
The River Anker is a river in England. The river flows through the centre of Nuneaton towards Tamworth in Staffordshire. The river continues on before merging with the River Tame in Tamworth...
, adjacent to the hamlet of Alvecote
Alvecote
Alvecote is a hamlet in North Warwickshire, England. Other settlements nearby are Amington, Shuttington and Polesworth.Alvecote has a priory and a marina on the Coventry Canal with many facilities including boat repair, pumpout and a licensed bar. The West Coast Main Line runs through the...
on the border of Warwickshire
Warwickshire
Warwickshire is a landlocked non-metropolitan county in the West Midlands region of England. The county town is Warwick, although the largest town is Nuneaton. The county is famous for being the birthplace of William Shakespeare...
and Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
. The majority of the reserve lies in the former county. Consisting of two discrete areas, Pooley Fields and Alvecote Meadows, the site covers 128 hectares in total and is the largest SSSI in Warwickshire. First notified in 1955, the site has been owned by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
The Warwickshire Wildlife Trust is a Wildlife Trust and Registered Charity covering the county of Warwickshire and Solihull and Coventry in the county of West Midlands, England. The Trust aims to protect and enhance wildlife, natural habitats and geology throughout Warwickshire, Coventry and...
since 1997.
The site is effectively a series of shallow pools alongside the river that have arisen as an effect of colliery subsidence from Alvecote Colliery, which was later merged to form North Wariwckshire Colliery and which ceased operation in 1965. As well as the expected wetland
Wetland
A wetland is an area of land whose soil is saturated with water either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands are categorised by their characteristic vegetation, which is adapted to these unique soil conditions....
habitat, there are areas of fen, reedbed and woodland. As a result, the area is regionally important for birdlife, and over 100 species are reported annually, with between 60 and 70 breeding. The site is also important for beetles, with 322 species recorded, and spiders (121 species).