| Summer Leys | |
|---|---|
 The reserve in 2009 | |
|
| |
| Type | Local nature reserve |
| Location | Wollaston, Northamptonshire |
| Nearest city | Wellingborough |
| Coordinates | 52°15′49″N 0°42′10″W / 52.2635°N 0.7029°W |
| Area | 50 hectares (120 acres) |
| Operated by | Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire |
| Status | |
Summer Leys is a local nature reserve at Wollaston in the Upper Nene Valley, in Northamptonshire, England. It is owned by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. [1] [2]
The reserve, created from former gravel pits, covers just under 50 hectares (120 acres) and is primarily wetland, with some grassland and woodland habitats, and hedges. [2] The grassland is managed by the use of grazing cattle and rare-breed sheep, supported by a grant from the SITA Trust. [3]
The northern perimeter of the reserve is delineated [2] by the trackbed of the former Northampton and Peterborough Railway, closed in 1972. [4]
The reserve has four bird hides and a viewing screen. One of the hides overlooks a feeding station. [2] A car park is available off Hardwater Road. [5]
The reserve and neighbouring gravel pits, collectively the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits, are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Ramsar wetland of international importance due to their importance for wintering wildfowl. [5] [6]
Until the 1980s, the area covered by the reserve was divided into two fields, the use of which was agricultural. [5] They were then quarried for gravel by Hanson Aggregates. After gravel extraction ended, the quarry was landscaped. [5]
Several species of wading birds breed on the reserve, including oystercatcher, redshank, ringed plover, and little ringed plover. [2] Significant numbers of golden plovers overwinter there. [2] Ducks present in winter include significant numbers of pochard, shoveller, teal, tufted duck and wigeon. [2]
The reserve is frequented by otters. [5]
Rare insect species found at Summer Leys include the hairy dragonfly, brown argus butterfly, [2] and the water beetle Hydaticus transversalis, which was found there in 2008. [7]
- ^ "Special Sites". Natural England. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Summer Leys". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Grazing Amazing Grasslands". SITA Trust. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ Butler, P., (2007) A History of the Railways of Northamptonshire,' Great Addington: Silver Link Publishing
- ^ a b c d e "Summer Leys" (PDF). Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Ramsar Convention - 2012". 15 March 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Rare water beetle found in Northamptonshire". Northants Evening Telegraph. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014.
| Summer Leys | |
|---|---|
|
The reserve in 2009 | |
|
| |
| Type | Local nature reserve |
| Location | Wollaston, Northamptonshire |
| Nearest city | Wellingborough |
| Coordinates | 52°15′49″N 0°42′10″W / 52.2635°N 0.7029°W |
| Area | 50 hectares (120 acres) |
| Operated by | Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire |
| Status | |
Summer Leys is a local nature reserve at Wollaston in the Upper Nene Valley, in Northamptonshire, England. It is owned by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. [1] [2]
The reserve, created from former gravel pits, covers just under 50 hectares (120 acres) and is primarily wetland, with some grassland and woodland habitats, and hedges. [2] The grassland is managed by the use of grazing cattle and rare-breed sheep, supported by a grant from the SITA Trust. [3]
The northern perimeter of the reserve is delineated [2] by the trackbed of the former Northampton and Peterborough Railway, closed in 1972. [4]
The reserve has four bird hides and a viewing screen. One of the hides overlooks a feeding station. [2] A car park is available off Hardwater Road. [5]
The reserve and neighbouring gravel pits, collectively the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits, are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Ramsar wetland of international importance due to their importance for wintering wildfowl. [5] [6]
Until the 1980s, the area covered by the reserve was divided into two fields, the use of which was agricultural. [5] They were then quarried for gravel by Hanson Aggregates. After gravel extraction ended, the quarry was landscaped. [5]
Several species of wading birds breed on the reserve, including oystercatcher, redshank, ringed plover, and little ringed plover. [2] Significant numbers of golden plovers overwinter there. [2] Ducks present in winter include significant numbers of pochard, shoveller, teal, tufted duck and wigeon. [2]
The reserve is frequented by otters. [5]
Rare insect species found at Summer Leys include the hairy dragonfly, brown argus butterfly, [2] and the water beetle Hydaticus transversalis, which was found there in 2008. [7]
- ^ "Special Sites". Natural England. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Summer Leys". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Grazing Amazing Grasslands". SITA Trust. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ Butler, P., (2007) A History of the Railways of Northamptonshire,' Great Addington: Silver Link Publishing
- ^ a b c d e "Summer Leys" (PDF). Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Ramsar Convention - 2012". 15 March 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Rare water beetle found in Northamptonshire". Northants Evening Telegraph. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014.