Designated SSSI.
GREENSCOMBE WOOD / LUCKETT
| CLASSIFICATION Designated SSSI.
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TYPE OF HABITAT
Old oak coppice and commercial forestry covering 3.0ha. Owned by Duchy of Cornwall.
ACCESS
Grid Ref: SX 391 723
Take extra care during felling operations.
Take the A390 west from Gunnislake. After 4.5km (3 miles), turn right towards Kelly Bray
At Monkscross, turn right towards Luckett. Access to the reserve is via the first lane on
the right in Luckett.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This land is part of the Duchy of Cornwall's Greenscombe Valley plantation and is leased from the Duchy by the trust. It consists of broadleaved woodland, and old hazel coppice in which clearings are maintained in order to encourage butterflies. At the southern end is an area of moorland. A stream runs the length of the reserve, all of which is surrounded by plantation of larch. A wide range of flowers may be found.
SPECIES OF PARTICULAR INTEREST
Over twenty species of butterfly are recorded each year. Six of the ten British fritillaries may be seen, including the very rare heath fritillary. One of the sites used by the Natural Environment Research .Council for its Butterfly Monitoring Scheme has a transect crossing the reserve. Breeding birds include woodpeckers, long tailed tits, nut hatches, buzzards, willow warblers and many others.
Interesting plants include the rare Cornish bladder seed and five species of orchid. The site is also rich in other insect life and the larger mammals, including badger, stoat, fox, grey squirrel and roe deer.
HISTORICAL INTEREST
Cultivated strawberry plants remind the visitor that the valley was once Market Gardens.