Eakring Meadows SSSI
Type : Grassland
The reserve covers a series of five wet meadows totalling almost 10 hectares and it is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The SSSI includes Penny Pasture Common to the west, which is also managed by the Trust. The meadows and associated ancient hedgerow were purchased by the Trust in 1981 and 1982. The adjacent copses of willow and hawthorn across the beck are managed by agreement with the owners, Thoresby Estates.
About the Reserve
The site is one of the best remaining neutral grasslands in the County. It is a fine example of species-rich meadow developed on damp, often wet soils, The dominant grasses are sweet vernal grass, red fescue and Yorkshire fog with patches of greater pond sedge. Characteristic flowering plants include great burnet, lady’s smock and ragged robin. In wetter areas marsh marigold and in drier areas cowslip and wood goldilocks are abundant. A good variety of breeding birds have been recorded, including snipe, lapwing, tawny owl, sedge warbler and reed bunting. Many other species use the reserve for feeding and roosting, and wintering species include jack snipe and teal with regular flocks of finches and thrushes. Small mammals present include field vole, pygmy shrew, water vole, mole and pipistrelle bat. The meadows are important for butterflies and contain good numbers of meadow brown, large and small skipper, small heath, gatekeeper, wall brown, small tortoiseshell, peacock and red admiral.
The wet areas, ponds and the beck provide ideal habitat for increasing numbers of dragonflies, damselflies and aquatic invertebrates. Parts of the roadside hedge are of considerable age and contain a remarkable range of shrub species providing breeding habitat for high populations of whitethroat, blackbird, chaffinch, dunnock, wren and wood mouse.
Conservation Management
Management aims at maintaining and enhancing the range of habitats on the reserve with priority given to the continuity of the grassland sward. The use of fertilisers and herbicides is avoided and much of the grassland is farmed traditionally with grazing by sheep and/or cattle after the hay crop has been cut. For other meadows, low intensity cattle grazing is ideal. A blocked old drainage system caused excessive flooding and spread the sedge some years ago. The wet areas add to diversity but are being carefully monitored.
How to Get There
The reserve (SK700621 west end, and SK709618 east end) lies about two miles east of Eakring, to the south of Kersall and on the north side of the minor road from the A616 near Caunton to the A614 just north of Bilsthorpe. The reserve is open to the public but care should be taken to avoid damaging the wildflowers if visiting during May and June. Please take care to avoid trampling the hay crop, or disturbing grazing livestock. A public footpath from Kneesall crosses the reserve at SK703622 and another crosses Penny Pasture Common at SK697623. If using SatNav, enter NG22 0AY for the west end of the reserve, or NG22 0BJ for the eastern end and follow the directions above.
Further Information
If you would like further details about the reserve, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of the site, please call the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust office on 0115 958 8242
