WEST BURTON MEADOW NATURE RESERVE
Introduction
The
reserve is leased by the Wildlife Trust from the private owner. This unimproved
grassland covers almost 1 hectare.
About
the reserve
The
reserve stands on river silt deposited on Mercia Mudstone (formerly known as
Keuper Marl). The field is of unimproved grassland surrounded by thick and
diverse hedges and ancient ridges and furrows are evident. The site is rich
in plants which flourish under a traditional hay meadow management regime,
including a sizeable population of the uncommon and attractive green-winged
orchid. Other species include
quaking grass, yellow oat-grass, cat's-ear, cowslip, meadow vetchling and
bulbous buttercup. An
interesting invertebrate fauna includes common blue butterfly and 6-spot
burnet moth, which both feed as larvae on bird's-foot-trefoil.
Also present is a large colony of the chimney sweeper, an attractive
day-flying black moth with white wingtips whose larvae feed on pignut which
grows in the field.
Conservation
management
The
field is farmed traditionally, with a hay crop taken each year in July and
light grazing in the autumn.
How
to get there
Access
to the reserve (Grid Ref. SK 787851) is from the minor road (
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.
