Patrick's Wood

Part of an ancient woodland SSSI on the steep slopes above the River Dibbin, consisting mainly of pedunculate and sessile oak, with a rich ground flora.

Location
Patrick's Wood lies in the south west corner of Brotherton Park, Bromborough, separated from the park by the River Dibbin. It is bounded on the western side by the Birkenhead-Chester railway line (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ341825).

Access
Due to the steep terrain of the woodland and fragility of some of the habitat, access to the woodland is strictly by permit, available from Cheshire Wildlife Trust. The woodland can be adequately viewed from the footpath which runs along the edge of the Dibbin. Cars should be parked in the public car park at Brotherton Park, situated at SJ343830, then proceed on foot.

Status
The woodland was bought by Cheshire Wildlife Trust from the Trustees of the late Mrs Hopper in March 1980. The woodland occupies 5 acres (2ha) on plans, but due to the steep slope of the ground the actual area is somewhat larger. The reserve is included in the larger Dibbinsdale SSSI.

Topography
As previously mentioned the woodland occupies the steep slopes overlooking the River Dibbin. There are a number of springs and seepages on the slope which have formed small tributary streams. The railway line is situated on a substantial embankment. The Dibbin is reaonably fast flowing with a sandy bed.

Flora
The majority of the area is dominated by deciduous woodland consisting of pedunculate and sessile oak (Quercus robur and Quercus petraea) and ash. In places there is some sycamore. The understory is provided by hazel and elder. The area bordering the Dibbin is dominated by reed canary grass Phlaris arundinacea and common reed Phragmites australis. The wood has a rich ground flora which includes bluebell and dog's mercury.
Within the wood there are a series of springs, including the calcareous spring of Patrick's Well. These areas contain meadow sweet Filipendula ulmaria, great horsetail Equesetum telmateia, marsh pennywort Hydrocotyle vulgaris and other wetland plants, together with many bryophytes

Fauna
The woods, together with Brotherton Park and the other adjacent woodlands have a diverse bird fauna. The wood has a particularly diverse invertebrate fauna, the molluscs being very well studied. There are at least 37 different species present.
The Caddisfly Plectronemia brevis lives in the petrifying well springs; it has a very limited distribution.