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This area consists of a mosaic of habitats; wet meadow, open water and woodland. Long Meadow, which is situated west of Kirton Reservoir, and the marshy ground below the reservoir support a wide range of wetland plants including a spectacular display of the rare heath spotted orchids (over 1000 have been recorded). Osier beds in the vicinity of the reservoir support a good population of sedge warblers. The main canopy species in the narrow band of mature deciduous woodland along the north shore of the reservoir are oak and ash with a few large beech. The understorey contains hazel, hawthorn and elder with bluebell as the main constituent of the ground flora. Honeysuckle grows on the trees and on the ground. A notable amount of dead wood has resulted from storm damage and old age. There are a few occasional areas of bare ground on steep south-facing slopes.