Storton's Pits and Duston Mill Meadow
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This old gravel pit and adjacent riverside meadow provide a haven for rare insects and birds |
One of a number of old gravel pits along the Nene valley, Storton’s Pits is important for wetland birds and insects. An old ditch along the northern edge is the oldest part of the reserve and supports some of the rarest insects in the county. Reed beetles can be seen from late spring on reed sweet-grass and water beetles can be seen all year round in the open pools.
The eastern lake was planted with common reed and provides a valuable habitat for wetland birds such as reed and sedge warblers and reed bunting. Wading birds such as snipe feed in the exposed wet mud areas. The rare water rail is a regular winter visitor. In winter, dusk is an excellent time to watch thousands of starlings swooping into the reedbed to roost.
Duston Mill Meadow is a small fragment of wet riverside meadow that is important for butterflies and wetland plant species.
Birds: Water rail, snipe, teal, tufted duck, starling Mammals: Rabbit, fox |
Plants: Cuckooflower Insects: Holly blue and green-veined white butterflies Amphibians: Common frog, toad Reptiles: Grass snake Birds: Cuckoo, reed bunting, bullfinch, tits, whitethroat, blackcap |
Plants: Reed sweet-grass, marsh woundwort, purple loosestrife, water mint Insects: Reed beetles, water beetles, dragonflies Birds: Reed warbler, sedge warbler, common tern Mammals: Bats |
Insects: Water beetles Birds: Snipe, great crested grebe, moorhen, coot, grey heron Mammals: Rabbit, fox |