Fauna
Habitat
The industrial history of the Country Park site has played a big part in shaping the types of habitat which can be found here today (see Heritage). Unlike many colliery tips, much of the Country Park has been left as spoil rather than being covered with topsoil. These soils are heavy clay quality and alkaline ph making them inhospitable to many plants, but an ideal habitat for some very rare plants – such as Orchids. The slow growing plant life and sparse vegetation has left many open spaces which are useful to birds. Though it may take longer for a landscape such as this to develop, the variety of plant and animal life now visible in the Country Park is testament to nature’s powers of regeneration.
Having a cluster of small settling ponds and extensive rough grassy areas rendered it particularly attractive for wildlife, and in recognition of its value, it was soon designated a SINC (Site of Importance for Nature Conservation). With very respectable lists (as of July 2016) including over 180 species of birds, no fewer than 28 species of butterflies and 18 species of damelflies and dragonflies, the site has clearly demonstrated how good it is, especially when considering that all these have been recorded in just twelve years.
Butterflies and Moths
Over 25 species of butterfly have been recorded, including brimstone, speckled wood, comma, holly blue, meadow brown, peacock, the small heath, clouded yellow and dingy skipper. There are healthy colonies of dingy skipper. Small heath and dingy skipper have increased their range utilising the network of land that was formerly mineral railway lines as present at NACP.
Many moths are nocturnal and only fly at night, but daytime flying species such as cinnabar and six spot burnet are present and can be seen at the right time of year. Over 40 species of moths have been recorded.
Click here for a list of recorded butterfly and moth species.
Dragonflies and Damselflies
18 species of dragonflies and damselflies have been recorded in The Park. Species are present at different times of the year. They can be hard to see due to rapid and incessant flight only may only be viewed briefly. The water courses will support dragonfly larva.
Dragonfly species present include black-tailed skimmer (pictured), migrant hawker, brown hawker, common darter and broad-bodied chaser.
Damselflies recorded include common blue damselfly, azure damselfly, red-eyed damselfly and emerald damselfly.
Click here for a list of recorded dragonfly and damselfly species.
Reptiles
The Country Park has areas of grassland and scrub where grass snakes (pictured) and common lizards can forage. Grass snakes will also hunt in the lagoons.
South facing slopes with low vegetation are used for basking in the sun. Common lizard will feed mostly on spiders and insects. Amphibians are the main diet of grass snakes.
Mammals
Bats
Various bat species use the site for foraging and/or roosting. They will fly and feed over the banks of the lagoons, the open waters, the open grassland and the woodland edge. Species present include: Common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, whiskered, noctule and daubentons bats.
Deer
In the woods there are muntjac and roe deer. Roe deer (pictured) have been in the area for hundreds of years, but the smaller muntjack is a more recent addition having been introduced into the country from China early in the last century.
Rodents
Grey Squirrels can be seen in the trees and on the ground throughout the woods in The Park.
Water vole are present on the site and are one of the UK's most endangered species. Not to be confused with their widespread cousin, the rat which is very different and has it's own rightful place in the park ecosystem.
Other Mammals
Rabbits and hares (pictured) are often seen on the open area of the site. Foxes can be seen foraging along the water's edge.