North Muskham Lake
Type : Wetland
This 6 hectare nature reserve was once the site of gravel extraction. The River Trent runs along the eastern boundary and recent habitat re-creation work has taken place to restore this area of floodplain to attract a wide range of important wildlife including snipe, reed warbler and sand martin.
About the reserve
Large-scale habitat improvements have given the reserve a new lease of life. The lake here was created from the former workings of gravel extraction and its steep banks and deep water meant it was of little value to wildlife. Now a range of important habitats once common in this part of the Trent Valley have been restored. As they establish, the rare wet grassland, reedbeds and shallows, and the establishment of screening should attract a number of important wading bird species and improve breeding conditions for scarcer species, particularly reed bunting and sedge warbler. As a water body close to the Trent, the main interest is water birds with most of the regular duck species being recorded. Winter is the best time to visit for these birds as numbers are swelled by winter visitors.
Conservation management
The main focus of the ongoing work is to develop and create wildlife-friendly areas by landscaping and the creation of more habitat, and to increase public access.
Access is from Manor House Drive, off Main Street North Muskham. (SK797592)
Further Information
If you would like further details about this and our other reserves, or to find how you can support our work in the county, please call Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust on 0115 958 8242.
