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11 January 2008
A Wildlife Trust community event
Local people meet the sheep and cows at Bradlaugh Fields
On Saturday 5 January staff from the Wildlife Trust held a 'Meet the sheep and cows' event at Bradlaugh Fields Nature Reserve situated in the heart of Northampton.
The event started mid-morning at the Bradlaugh Barn, followed by a walk up to the quarry field to meet the animals. A brief talk was given by Ray Summers, conservation officer, to introduce the animals and explain why they are at Bradlaugh Fields - to keep the scrub down by eating it, which in turn allows other limestone grassland species to flourish.
The reserve consists of three meadow areas and contains excellent examples of unimproved, semi-natural limestone grassland and also fragments of ancient hedgerow. Plants such as yellow-rattle, salad burnet, lady’s bedstraw and birds-foot trefoil can be seen at the reserve during the spring and summer. The rare corn parsley can also be found at the reserve, one of only three places in Northamptonshire.
Foxes and badgers are commonly spotted around Bradlaugh Fields and during the winter months bird species such as fieldfares and redwings can be seen.
If you would like any further information about the reserve, please contact The Wildlife Trust on on 01604 405285.