Higham Ferrers Pits and Wilson's Pits
 |
Part of a large gravel pit complex rich in birds and dragonflies |
Higham Ferrers Pits is a narrow strip of grassland fringed with areas of maturing willow, reedbed and open water. Wilson’s Pits are three disused gravel pits with areas of scrub, grassland and the newly created ‘scrape’ areas. The older pit has developed into a sheltered area surrounded by maturing willows and reedbeds that are very important for invertebrates.
Like many other areas in the Nene Valley these reserves were formed after quarrying for sand and gravel. They are part of a larger Site of Special Scientific Interest that is an important refuge for overwintering and breeding birds, including little grebe, shoveler, gadwall, reed warbler and reed bunting.
In the summer you can see a huge variety of dragonflies and damselflies, which use the vegetation on the edge of the pits. These include the brown hawker and black-tailed skimmer.
Birds: Shoveler, gadwall, pochard, tufted duck, snipe |
Plants: Ragged-robin, common spotted orchid Insects: Butterflies Birds: Reed bunting, kingfisher, bullfinch, warblers, tits |
Plants: Creeping-jenny, brook lime Insects: Dragonflies Birds: Reed bunting, willow warbler, kingfisher, swallow |
Birds: Shoveler, gadwall, snipe |