Norwood Road
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A precious wildlife refuge sheltered in the heart of a fenland town |
This reserve was originally several cottages and a railway ‘borrow pit’ from which ballast was removed. The pit has flooded to create a deep pool, and the gardens reverted to natural grass. A variety of wildlife habitats are here including marsh, open water and hawthorn scrub.
Fen vegetation grows in the marshy areas, which include reedbeds, ditches and shaded pools. Here you will find alder, buckthorn, willow, reeds and other wetland species. The water attracts coot, moorhen and mallard, as well as nesting sedge and reed warblers.
A ride has been created, its sheltered grassland supporting a rich insect fauna, with butterflies such as the small copper, meadow brown and small tortoiseshell. Newts use the cottage rubble for winter hibernation. Other species you might see include grass snake, adder’s tongue fern and, at dusk in summer, noctule bats.
Birds: Water rail |
Plants: Adder’s-tongue fern, sweet violet, common toad flax Insects: Orange-tip and holly blue butterfly Amphibians: Frog, newt Birds: Cetti’s warbler, heron, goldfinch, reed bunting |
Plants: Betony, yellow iris, birds-foot-trefoil, tufted vetch Insects: Dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies Reptiles: Grass snake Birds: Green woodpecker, rook, kingfisher Mammals: Bats, weasel |
Plants: Redcurrant, sloe |