Bradlaugh Fields
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In the middle of Northampton you will find an unusual variety of limestone grassland plants and numerous other species |
These three meadow areas, close to Northampton town centre, are part of the larger Bradlaugh Fields Park complex. The reserve contains fine examples of unimproved, semi-natural limestone grassland and fragments of ancient hedgerow.
Plants typical of calcareous grassland are found here including yellow-rattle, salad burnet, lady’s-bedstraw and bird’s-foot trefoil. Many of these plants provide nectar and pollen for the large number of bees and butterflies which can be seen over the summer. The reserve also has large numbers of the parasitic knapweed broomrape. Look for a brown leafless flower spike 20 to 30 cm tall. Corn parsley also occurs on the site and in wetter areas look out for common spotted-orchid, bee orchid, twayblade and adder’s-tongue fern.
Foxes are regularly seen and the area has the largest population of badgers in the borough. Green woodpeckers can been seen on the anthills feeding on meadow ants. Kestrels are attacted by the many field voles which breed in the grassland.
Birds: Fieldfare, redwing |
Plants: Meadow saxifrage, common spotted-orchid, yellow rattle, salad burnet Insects: Butterflies Birds: Willow warbler, chiffchaff, long-tailed tit, green woodpecker Mammals: Fox, badger |
Plants: Black knapweed, knapweed broomrape, field and small scabious, stone parsley, corn parsley, bee orchid Insects: Grasshoppers, marbled white butterfly, dragonflies Birds: Green and great spotted woodpeckers, sparrowhawk |
Birds: Blue tit, chaffinch |