Summer Leys

Summer Leys
Type Local nature reserve
Location Wollaston, Northamptonshire
Nearest city Wellingborough
Coordinates 52°15′49″N 0°42′10″W / 52.2635°N 0.7029°W / 52.2635; -0.7029Coordinates: 52°15′49″N 0°42′10″W / 52.2635°N 0.7029°W / 52.2635; -0.7029
Area 50 hectares (120 acres)
Operated by Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire
Status

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]

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]

The Northern Lagoon

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

  1. ↑ "Special Sites". Natural England. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Summer Leys". Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "Grazing Amazing Grasslands". SITA Trust. 2011-11-23. Archived from the original on 19 December 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  4. ↑ Butler, P., (2007) A History of the Railways of Northamptonshire,' Great Addington: Silver Link Publishing
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Summer Leys" (PDF). Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "Ramsar Convention - 2012". 2012-03-15. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  7. ↑ "Rare water beetle found in Northamptonshire". Northants Evening Telegraph. 2008-01-29.
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