Cotterill Clough

A SSSI designated ancient semi-natural woodland comprised of ash, oak, alder, wild cherry, hawthorn and elder. Plants of interest include bluebell, lesser celendine, wood anemone, wild garlic and marsh marigold. Birdlife thrives in the clough.

Location
The reserve lies to the west of Manchester Airport and is situated astride a tributary stream of the River Bollin (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ805839).

Access
Access is via a stile and footpath on the north side of the unclassified road running from Ashley to the A538 by way of Castle Mill. There is a layby about 100 metres east of the reserve entrance, a short distance from the Bollin bridge. The gate at the end of the footpath is kept locked at all times and applications for the key should be made to Cheshire Wildlife Trust.

Status
The reserve is leased from the Royal Society for Nature Conservation. It was purchased in 1934 from funds raised by public subscription for a memorial to T.A. Coward, a famous Cheshire naturalist (1867-1933). A memorial stone is sited to the left of the access path in a small area to which there is public access. The reserve occupies 14 acres (5.6 ha) and is classified as a SSSI.

Topography
Cotterill Clough comprises the lower part of a wooded ravine, eroded into the Keuper Marl by the Cotterill brook.

Flora
At the time of purchase the area was under threat of timber extraction, but despite the loss of much of the oakwood by felling before the declaration of the reserve, its interest lies in the fact that the clough has suffered little modification from its natural state. Woodland has persisted here over long periods, giving rise to relatively stable conditions for the survival of native fauna and flora. There is good woodland cover and a wide range in most tree species which show good regeneration. Additionally, oaks and other trees have been planted as part of the management plan.
There are three detectable areas within the reserve.
1. The plateau edge on the same level as the surrounding farmland on the Cheshire Plain, carrying oak, ash, sycamore, brambles and bracken.
2. The valley sides which are mainly ash, wych elm, sycamore and some oak. There is a dense ground flora dominated by ramsons Allium ursinum, bluebells dog's mercury, yellow archangel and other characteristic woodland ground flora species.
3. The valley floor, small in area with a sparse tree cover of alder which is mostly coppiced, and some ash. The ground flora here is very dense with ramsons, kingcup Caltha palustris, pendulous sedge Carex pendula and other species reflecting the high nutrient status of the soil (derived from river silt) and the high water table.

The flora and fauna have been studied in Cotterill Clough for over 200 years - particularly flowering plants, ferns, mosses and liverworts, fungi, insects, birds and mammals.