What’s new?
3 August 2006
Anthills are saved
Northamptonshire reserve receives help to save scarce ant colonies
The Wildlife Trust's Anthills Project will save species-rich limestone grasslands at Twywell Hills and Dales Nature Reserve, near Kettering, thanks to over £20,000 from Hanson Environment Fund, through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.
Twywell is the only known site in Northamptonshire for the nationally scarce sun-loving ant, Myrmica schencki. The calcareous grassland also supports woolly thistle and its associated nationally scarce picture-winged fly. The Trust is planning to fence the gullet area, which is in desperate need of grazing as mowing is dangerous and would damage the habitat. Local volunteers will also remove scrub and non-native sycamore by hand. Access for visitors will also be upgraded.