Lattersey
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Abandoned pits that have become home to typical fenland wildlife |
Follow the boardwalk to explore the wetland which is important for a variety of wildlife including water voles, water shrews and insects – particularly dragonflies and damselflies, rare beetles and moths. In and around the water are reeds and sedges and other wetland plants.
This local nature reserve used to be a quarry for brick clay and “borrow” material used to build the local railway. The abandoned pits filled with water, providing a haven for the wildlife that was forced into the area as the surrounding fenland was drained and ploughed.
Twayblade, bee and common spotted-orchid can be found on the drier grassland areas. Dense scrub also provides food and shelter for birds such as woodcock, sparrowhawk and tawny owl.
Look out for round holes in tree trunks and sawdust, left by feeding goat moth caterpillars. The uncommon reed beetle, Donacia clavipes can be found on its foodplant, common reed.
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Insects: Goat moth caterpillar |
Plants: Bee orchid, common spotted-orchid, greater spearwort, cyperus sedge, blunt-flowered rush Birds: Willow, reed and sedge warblers, reed bunting, great spotted woodpecker |
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