Habitat type: Heath and woodland
Size of reserve: 3 hectares / 7 acres
OS map number: 108
Grid reference: SX 391 723 (south entrance track)
Best time to visit: Spring and early summer
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Directions
Take the A390 west from Gunnislake. After 2.5 miles (4.5 km), turn right towards Kelly Bray. At Monkscross, turn right towards Luckett.
Access
From the car park, walk along the lane to the left 0.5 miles (0.9 km) then into the woodland. An information board will be seen just beyond a small quarry on the right, showing pathset.
Characteristic wildlife of this reserve
The honey-coloured bird's nest orchid, so-called because its root resembles a matted bird's nest, is uncommon in Cornwall. The plant contains no chlorophyll and can grow in the darkest conditions, with a preference for deep leaf litter. A fungus, which grows closely around the roots of the plant, absorbs nutrients from the rotting humus and passes them to the plant.
The heath fritillary is small with orange, brown and black colouring, and may be seen in the woodland rides on warm sunny days between the end of May and July. This endangered butterfly can only be found in a few locations. The butterflies usually fly close to the ground, feeding on nectar mainly taken from brambles.
The common twayblade orchid is widespread in damp woodlands and grassland. This distinctive green-flowered orchid grows up to 50 cm and has a pair of elliptical leaves part way up the stem.
Other information
Historically, much of the ancient woodland was managed as oak coppice.
Some areas were market garden at the turn of the century and cultivated strawberry plants can still be found.
This is one of the sites used by the Natural Environment Research Council for its Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and has a transect crossing the reserve.
