Cop Mere
Encyclopedia
Cop Mere is one of the largest natural bodies of water in Staffordshire
, England
. It has been designated a SSSI specifically for the type of moss
that is found there – Sphagnum
to be specific, but other plant and animal life are present in sufficient numbers and rarities for it to have been designated as a protected area since 1968.
Cop Mere was created as a hollow in the Keuper marl
of North Staffordshire/South Cheshire approx 200 million years ago, roughly as a result of the retreat of the last ice age. It differs from other ponds and meres in the region because it sits on the route of the River Sow
, the flow of which encourages the growth of algae
necessary for the growth of freshwater mosses.
The River Sow has been dammed upstream at Jackson's coppice from approx 1250 AD, which altered the flow of water and created a unique albeit man-made environment that encourages birdlife and fishlife. There is evidence that fishing in Cop Mere dates back at least to the reign of Henry VIII.
The SSSI also includes a number of plants currently rare in Staffordshire
, specifically the herb
Paris and a thin-spiked wood sedge Carex
strigosa.
Birds commonly found on the mere include the Reed Warbler
and Sedge Warbler
, the Great Crested Grebe
and the Little Grebe
, the Sparrowhawk, and various woodpeckers.
CopMere also refers to the village located at the same location, which is notable for the Star Inn, the location of the only public telephone box in the area, and the village post box.
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It has been designated a SSSI specifically for the type of moss
Moss
Mosses are small, soft plants that are typically 1–10 cm tall, though some species are much larger. They commonly grow close together in clumps or mats in damp or shady locations. They do not have flowers or seeds, and their simple leaves cover the thin wiry stems...
that is found there – Sphagnum
Sphagnum
Sphagnum is a genus of between 151 and 350 species of mosses commonly called peat moss, due to its prevalence in peat bogs and mires. A distinction is made between sphagnum moss, the live moss growing on top of a peat bog on one hand, and sphagnum peat moss or sphagnum peat on the other, the...
to be specific, but other plant and animal life are present in sufficient numbers and rarities for it to have been designated as a protected area since 1968.
Cop Mere was created as a hollow in the Keuper marl
Keuper marl
Keuper marl is the former name for a layer of mudstones and siltstones from the late Triassic period . Typically red, or occasionally...
of North Staffordshire/South Cheshire approx 200 million years ago, roughly as a result of the retreat of the last ice age. It differs from other ponds and meres in the region because it sits on the route of the River Sow
River Sow
The River Sow is a tributary of the River Trent in Staffordshire, England.The river rises to the south of Newcastle-under-Lyme and flows south to become the major river through Stafford. It also flows near Bishop's Offley and Tixall. At Baswich it is joined by the River Penk, before meeting the...
, the flow of which encourages the growth of algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
necessary for the growth of freshwater mosses.
The River Sow has been dammed upstream at Jackson's coppice from approx 1250 AD, which altered the flow of water and created a unique albeit man-made environment that encourages birdlife and fishlife. There is evidence that fishing in Cop Mere dates back at least to the reign of Henry VIII.
The SSSI also includes a number of plants currently rare in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, specifically the herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
Paris and a thin-spiked wood sedge Carex
Carex
Carex is a genus of plants in the family Cyperaceae, commonly known as sedges. Other members of the Cyperaceae family are also called sedges, however those of genus Carex may be called "true" sedges, and it is the most species-rich genus in the family. The study of Carex is known as...
strigosa.
Birds commonly found on the mere include the Reed Warbler
Reed Warbler
The Eurasian Reed Warbler, or just Reed Warbler, Acrocephalus scirpaceus, is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It breeds across Europe into temperate western Asia. It is migratory, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa....
and Sedge Warbler
Sedge Warbler
The Sedge Warbler is an Old World warbler in the genus Acrocephalus. It is a medium-sized warbler with a brown, streaked back and wings and a distinct pale supercilium. Sedge Warblers are migratory, crossing the Sahara to get from their European and Asian breeding grounds to spend winter in Africa...
, the Great Crested Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
The Great Crested Grebe is a member of the grebe family of water birds.- Description :The Great Crested Grebe is long with a wingspan. It is an excellent swimmer and diver, and pursues its fish prey underwater. The adults are unmistakable in summer with head and neck decorations...
and the Little Grebe
Little Grebe
The Little Grebe , also known as Dabchick, member of the grebe family of water birds. At 23 to 29 cm in length it is the smallest European member of its family. It is commonly found in open bodies of water across most of its range.-Description:The Little Grebe is a small water bird with a pointed...
, the Sparrowhawk, and various woodpeckers.
CopMere also refers to the village located at the same location, which is notable for the Star Inn, the location of the only public telephone box in the area, and the village post box.