Sence Valley Forest Park
North of Ibstock on the A447 Ravenstone Road, LE67 6NW, North West Leicestershire.
Total species seen at this site: 177
This 60-hectare site is a former open-cast coal mine, which has been transformed with extensive tree planting and the creation of lakes, interlinked with a series of paths. There are good facilities for disabled visitors. At the centre of the site are a series of small lakes, some managed for wildlife and some for fishing. A hide overlooks one of the lakes. Large areas of conifers and mixed deciduous trees have been planted so this habitat should improve over time.
The Park has become a good site for birds at all times of year. There is normally a reasonable variety of ducks and other waterfowl and often a few waders, both by the water and in the adjacent fields. In winter stonechat is a usual visitor and short-eared owls can often be seen. It is a hotspot for birds migrating in spring where Wheatear and Whinchat can be seen most years.
Latest records
| Common Name | Latin Name | Date Recorded | Recorded By | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pestle Puffball | Lycoperdon excipuliforme | 04/11/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Butter Cap | Rhodocollybia butyracea | 04/11/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Yellow Brain | Tremella mesenterica | 04/11/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Amber Jelly | Exidia recisa | 04/11/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Wren | Troglodytes troglodytes | 04/11/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Kestrel | Falco tinnunculus | 04/11/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Tawny Funnel | Lepista flaccida | 04/11/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Phytomyza leucanthemi | 03/11/2019 | sue | ||
| Clouded Funnel | Clitocybe nebularis | 17/10/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Saffron Milkcap | Lactarius deliciosus | 17/10/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Smooth Newt | Lissotriton vulgaris | 17/10/2019 | Melinda Bell | |
| Puccinia poarum | 09/09/2019 | sue | ||
| Pointed Slender | Parornix finitimella | 08/09/2019 | sue | |
| Poplar Bent-wing | Phyllocnistis unipunctella | 08/09/2019 | sue | |
| Dasineura rosae | 08/09/2019 | sue | ||
