Summer Leys
Summer Leys is a local nature reserve at Wollaston in the Upper Nene Valley, in Northamptonshire, England. It is owned by the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.[1][2]
| Summer Leys | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Local nature reserve |
| Location | Wollaston, Northamptonshire |
| Nearest city | Wellingborough |
| Coordinates | 52°15′49″N 0°42′10″W |
| Area | 50 hectares (120 acres) |
| Operated by | Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire |
| Status | |
Topography
The reserve, created from former gravel pits, covers just under 50 hectares (120 acres) and is primarily wetland, with some grassland and woodland habitats, and hedges.[2] The grassland is managed by the use of grazing cattle and rare-breed sheep, supported by a grant from the SITA Trust.[3]
The northern perimeter of the reserve is delineated[2] by the trackbed of the former Northampton and Peterborough Railway, closed in 1972.[4]
The reserve has four bird hides and a viewing screen. One of the hides overlooks a feeding station.[2] A car park is available off Hardwater Road.[5]
Designation
The reserve and neighbouring gravel pits, collectively the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits, are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Ramsar wetland of international importance due to their importance for wintering wildfowl.[5][6]
History
Until the 1980s, the area covered by the reserve was divided into two fields, the use of which was agricultural.[5] They were then quarried for gravel by Hanson Aggregates. After gravel extraction ended, the quarry was landscaped.[5]
Fauna
Several species of wading birds breed on the reserve, including oystercatcher, redshank, ringed plover, and little ringed plover.[2] Significant numbers of golden plovers overwinter there.[2] Ducks present in winter include significant numbers of pochard, shoveller, teal, tufted duck and wigeon.[2]
The reserve is frequented by otters.[5]
Rare insect species found at Summer Leys include the hairy dragonfly, brown argus butterfly,[2] and the water beetle Hydaticus transversalis, which was found there in 2008.[7]
References
- "Special Sites". Natural England. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- "Summer Leys". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- "Grazing Amazing Grasslands". SITA Trust. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- Butler, P., (2007) A History of the Railways of Northamptonshire,' Great Addington: Silver Link Publishing
- "Summer Leys" (PDF). Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- "Ramsar Convention - 2012". 15 March 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- "Rare water beetle found in Northamptonshire". Northants Evening Telegraph. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014.
External links
