The reserve is squeezed into a compact, 32 acre (13 hectare), urban setting and is home to a surprising variety of wildlife. Over 500 individual species have been recorded, reflecting the contrasting habitats contained within the site.

Water features
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Ponds, reedbeds and scrapes provide a variety of water-based habitats that attract different species of flora and fauna. Look out for Heron, Kingfisher, together with Sedge Warblers and Snipe in the reedbeds. Grass Snakes, Frogs and Toads also benefit from these habitats.

Meadows & Grassland
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The open areas contain interesting plant species such as Bee, Common Spotted, Southern Marsh and Butterfly Orchid varieties of Buttercup and other Meadow plants. Wild Flower Meadow and Grassland habitats are also great for insects, slow worms and butterflies.

Woodland
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Over 25,000 trees and shrubs have been planted to complement the three small copses originally on the site. This has resulted in a good mix of woodland and emerging scrub providing good habitat for dormice and ideal nesting conditions for many birds.

Stream, Waterfall & Silurian Wenlock
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A small length of stream passes through the reserve. It provides a special feature of interest as it has carved a narrow channel through the clay ground exposing part of the southern most outcrop in Wales of Silurian Wenlock rock, part of the same outcrop of Penylan Mudstone exposed at nearby Penylan Quarry SSSI. This forms a small waterfall in the woodland area.