An oasis for wildlife in a heavily developed area Comprising of four fields, this peaceful oasis is bisected by Mill Stream, which feeds the large mill pool sitting adjacent to the reserve. Predominantly moss and swampland in 972AD, the site gave rise to heath and pasture by 1495, and eventually became Yardley Wood Common until 1847. Changing little since, the site still offers remnants of heathland and acidic grassland, now rare habitats in Warwickshire. Heather, broom, dwarf gorse and heath rush occupy one of the four fields, with carnation sedge, marsh-marigold and lesser spearwort present along the stream’s damp margins. Hawthorn and blackthorn produce valuable scrub, attracting over 60 species of birds throughout the year; with oaks, silver birch, rowan and exotic red oak adding height.