Walkeringham
Introduction
This reserve is in the far north east of Nottinghamshire between Gringley-on-the-Hill and Misterton. Originally a claypit, the area was used as a landfill site between 1966 and 1982 and in 1990 an area of 6.23 hectares was licensed to the Trust as a Nature Reserve by Nottinghamshire County Council.
About the reserve
The landfill site was capped with “river sand” and seeded with an agricultural grass mix with small plantations of Corsican pine in the grassland area and a small plantation of various broadleaved trees in the north-eastern corner. This has developed over the years into what is now an interesting mosaic of habitats including a small pond in the northern corner close to the car park. The grassland has developed and is considered to be fairly species-rich with southern marsh orchid and common-spotted orchid being present as well as bee orchid, pignut, sheep’s sorrel and bird’s foot trefoil. Rabbits are common and have helped management of the grassland by their grazing.
The landfill site was capped with “river sand” and seeded with an agricultural grass mix with small plantations of Corsican pine in the grassland area and a small plantation of various broadleaved trees in the north-eastern corner. This has developed over the years into what is now an interesting mosaic of habitats including a small pond in the northern corner close to the car park. The grassland has developed and is considered to be fairly species-rich with southern marsh orchid and common-spotted orchid being present as well as bee orchid, pignut, sheep’s sorrel and bird’s foot trefoil. Rabbits are common and have helped management of the grassland by their grazing.
The combination of wetland, grassland, scrub and trees is very valuable for wildlife in general. A good range of birds is present, particularly in the breeding season, and there have been records of common lizard, grass snake, brown hare, stoat, weasel and water vole.
For some more pictures of the reserve please go to our flickr set
Conservation management
Maintenance of the circular footpath is carried out as necessary and future plans call for removal of the non-native tree species including the pines. Grazing will be employed as a management tool for the grassland.
Maintenance of the circular footpath is carried out as necessary and future plans call for removal of the non-native tree species including the pines. Grazing will be employed as a management tool for the grassland.
How to get there
The reserve can be accessed from the B1403 which runs between Gringley-on-the-Hill and Misterton at SK754925. If using satnav. enter DN10 4LZ and follow the preceding directions. There is a car park available controlled by a height barrier and a circular path surrounds the reserve.
Why not explore this nearby reserve? Misson Carr.
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.
