Thornton Wood

Part of an ancient woodland SSSI. The woodland is largely ash and oak with hazel and hawthorn in the understorey. There is also a pond and a stream.

Location
Thornton Wood lies astride the M53 along the Clatterbeck Brook, south of Bebington, west of the main Dibbinsdale Woodland Complex (O.S. Grid Ref.: SJ329815).

Access
Leave the M53 at junction 4, take the B5136 signposted to Clatterbridge Hospital, after 1 mile, turn left at the crossroads along Thornton Common Road. Cars should be left in the vicinity of the motorway fly-over bridge. (Limited space, do not obstruct field gates). Access to the two halves of the reserve is from this point. As there is a shooting tenant at this reserve a joint safety scheme has been devised, details of which can be obtained from the Reserves Manager or Conservation Officer. Please contact us on 01270 610180 or email us before considering a visit.

Status
The reserve occupies 15.41 acres (6.24ha.) and is held by agreement from R. Lancelyn Green, Esq., of Poulton Hall and Viscount Leverhulme of Thornton Manor. The woodland constitutes part of the Dibbinsdale SSSI

Topography
The woodland runs along the steeply incised valley of the Clatterbeck, a tributary of the Dibbin. A number of lesser tributary streams run into the Clatterbeck.

Flora
The area is dominated by deciduous woodland. The area west of the motorway has a dense ground cover of brambles and bracken, whilst the area east of the motorway is more open. The woodland contains pedunculate oak, sycamore, wych elm and alder. In the vicinity of the motorway there is an area of grey willow. Birch, hazel, beech, ash, holly and rowan are also present. The base of the valley is very marshy, characterised by plants such as water plantain, golden saxifrage and reed canary grass. In the drier areas you can find foxglove, wood sage, bluebell and other woodland species.

Fauna
The woodland supports a fairly diverse collection of woodland birds. Badgers breed in the area, and other small mammals have been recorded. A series of alder feeding lepidoptera (butterflies) have been recorded including the dingy shell and small yellow wave, these species are very local in Cheshire. The dead wood supports a variety of beetles and other invertebrates.