What’s new?
Two new reserves for Northamptonshire
The Wildlife Trust has taken on two new reserves in Northamptonshire.
Abington Meadows
Abington Meadows in Northampton will be managed by the Trust on behalf of Northamptonshire County Council and will make a key contribution to the Trust’s vision for the Nene Valley
It is in an urban area and although neglected for a number of years the marshy grassland is home to a tremendous diversity of wildlife. The site was surveyed in 2009 with over 639 species recorded including a large population of pennyroyal - a member of the mint family and a county rarity. It is also home to snipe and a diverse range of dragonfly and damselfy species. The 4.4 hectare site can be accessed from Weston Mill Lane, off Billing Road East, Northampton. The site will be open to the public shortly once fencing and structural work is completed.
Wicksteed Nature Reserve
We have now officially taken on our newest nature reserve at Wicksteed Park, near Kettering, which was formally opened by Oliver Wicksteed, as part of Wicksteed Park’s 90th anniversary celebrations on 14 May 2011.
The nature reserve is comprised of two areas - the botantically diverse traditional water meadows and the Scheduled Ancient Monument known as Castle Field.
Water meadows have played an important role in agriculture for 300 years providing early grass for cattle and sheep in April. The sites were drowned with river water early in the year to provide this, and then again later in the year to provide a crop of hay.
The Trust is working to restore this botanically diverse site by re-engineering ditches, replacing sluices and introducing conservation grazing.The reserve is good for birds such as the reed bunting, the great burnet moth and marsh marigolds.
The Water Meadow itself is 7.6ha and the scheduled ancient monument at Castle Field is 6.6ha. The reserve is just off Barton Road, opposite Wicksteed Park in Kettering. Visit the reserve when at Wicksteed Park or park in the Ise Pavilion car park and cross the bridge over the Ise, and walk along the riverside path to the reserve. Public access is along the riverside path only but a range of events and activities take place within the reserve each year. The site is a partnership project with River Nene Regional Park, Wicksteed Park Trust, the Wildlife Trust and local volunteers all working together to restore this historic site.