Places to see birds

Pleasley Pit Country Park

Situated near the border between Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, with the river Meden separating the two counties, the former Pleasley Pit is now a country park. The listed pit building is the subject of a restoration scheme. The colliery opened in the 1870s and closed in the 1980s. Pleasley Pit Nature Study Group works to conserve the local wildlife and promote interest in the site. This year for example, a good number of bird nest boxes have been erected. Volunteers are involved in maintaining the habitat to support wildlife.

Contact the Pleasley Pit Nature Study group for more information on these, as well as butterflies, moths, insects, birds, mammals and plants to be found on the site. Dragonflies and Damselflies can also be seen.

Visit: http://www.ppnsg.com/

On a recent visit to the site in May 2008 the following birds were recorded: Skylark, Yellowhammer, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Lapwing, Swift, House Martin, Swallow, Great Crested Grebes, Little Grebe, Heron, Ruddy duck, Tufted duck, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Pochard, Canada geese, Mute swan, Magpie, Jackdaw, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Heron, Pied Wagtail and Kestrel. Recent visitors have included a Yellow Wagtail and a Wheatear.