Lings
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An oasis in a built up area of Northampton, this popular Local Nature Reserve also houses the Trust’s Northamptonshire headquarters |
Lings, in the eastern district of Northampton includes woodland, scrub, ponds and acid grassland. Woodland areas range from plantations of mature sweet chestnut, douglas fir and larch to areas which are returning to more native woodland with naturally regenerating birch, rowan, oak and holly.
Wood anemone, dog’s mercury, violets and climbing corydalis are all found in the woodland. Many fungi grow in the wooded areas including the stinkhorn which can be found by following the foul smell it produces to attract flies. The acid grassland areas include typical species such as sheep's sorrel and gorse and rarities such as the tiny birdsfoot. Many birds can be seen and heard. Greater and lesser spotted woodpeckers and many tit species can be seen flitting amongst the trees. Green woodpeckers feed mostly on the grassland and the colourful jay can be seen feeding on the woodland floor. Dragonflies, damselflies, frogs and newts all breed in the ponds on the reserve and are found by the school parties and community groups that use the reserve to learn about wildlife and ecology at the Trust's Lings Environmental Centre.
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Plants: Pignut, wood anemone, celandine, snowdrop, sweet violet, common dog-violet Insects: Butterflies Birds: Woodpeckers |
Plants: Climbing corydalis, lady’s bedstraw, wild service-tree Insects: Butterflies, dragonflies, damselflies Mammals: Bats |
Fungi: Woodland fungi Plants: Sweet chestnut, gorse |