Bullcarr-Mires

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Bullcarr Mires, also known as Pot Hills Marsh, is located approximately 6 miles south of Pontefract and 1 mile north of Upton. It consists of a marshland with a pond, grassland and woodland around the edges. It has a great sense of 'countryside' due to its location. The site can only be reached by foot and is accessed via Green Lane next to the Co-operative store on Waggon Lane, Upton and via a footpath from Thorpe Audlin.

Location:

Green Ln
Pontefract
WF9

Facilities and services

Free parking at Library
Café at Library
Toilets at Library
Stretches of boardwalk allow ease of access over the wetter areas
Don't forget to take your binoculars to enjoy the wildlife on offer
Walk around the boundary, cutting through on either side of the pond

The library is run by UNEF (Upton and North Elmsall Community Forum) as a visitor information centre for the area.

Library opening times

Day	Time
Monday	1pm - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 1pm
Wednesday	12pm - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 1pm
Friday	1pm - 6pm
Saturday	10am - 1pm
Sunday	CLOSED

For further information please email: unef@sky.com or call 01977 649317.

Historical interest

References to Bullcarr can be found in the Yorkshire Inquisitions of 1295 and the Yorkshire Chantry Surveys of 1546. Bullcarre meaning bullmarsh and 'mire' meaning slimy soil, mud, indicate that this area has always been marshy.

Nature conservation

This is a wonderful place to view nature with 120 bird species having been spotted here.

This site is mainly wetland surrounded by neutral grassland. It is important for its scarcer species of herbs and grasses including Grey Club-rush, Pepper Saxifrage and Marsh Arrow grass. It also displays an abundance of wildflowers including Devil's Bit Scabious.

This is a naturally wet area that became wetter due to mining subsidence. A pond was added in the mid-1990s, which attracted more wetland birds like Kingfishers and Herons, and insects such as dragonflies. This includes the first recorded sighting of the Broad Bodied Chaser in the Wakefield area. The water is of high quality and clarity, which supports many wetland species.

In autumn Jack Snipe migrate from Scandinavia and settle on Bullcarr Mires in nationally important numbers. It uses its long bill to probe the mud on the marsh looking for food.

All five British species of owls (Long Eared, Short Eared, Barn, Tawny, and Little) have been spotted. The Long-Eared Owls breeding here suggests healthy mammal populations.