Summer Leys

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Summer Leys
Summer Leys Nature Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 1352762.jpg
The reserve in 2009
Summer Leys
Type Local nature reserve
Location Wollaston, Northamptonshire
Nearest city Wellingborough
Coordinates 52°15′49″N0°42′10″W / 52.2635°N 0.7029°W / 52.2635; -0.7029
Area50 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]

Contents

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 Northern lagoon, Summer Leys Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 1183650.jpg
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]

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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. 23 November 2011. 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". 15 March 2012. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  7. "Rare water beetle found in Northamptonshire". Northants Evening Telegraph. 29 January 2008. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014.

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