Registered Charity No 1108814
There are more than 160 plant species on the site, some of which are particularly uncommon, including Grass of Parnassus, Bog Pimpernel and Flea Sedge. Common cotton grass makes a very noticeable show in the central part with swathes of the white, fluffy seed heads which give it its name. Fragrant Orchid and Marsh Helleborine can be seen close to the edges of the boardwalk, whilst open reed beds thrive on the Eastern part towards Mill Common. By contrast, you will have to look closely in damp places for the elusive Bogbean or Marsh Marigold; or, indeed, some of the smaller orchid species which are also present.
Follow the link for a detailed guide to the plants in flower throughout early Spring.
Birds
Nesting birds include Reed Bunting, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler. Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Barn Owl and Tawny Owl inhabit the woody areas.
Please follow the link for more details of our nestbox scheme and the birds we have seen during 2007 and 2008.
Fox’s Beck is a shallow, free-flowing stream that supports several species of snail, caddis fly and dragonfly, with water-voles living along the banks.
A number of rare species of fly that are characteristic of undisturbed wetlands have been found, including two whose larvae are parasitic on snails. You will have to stay after dark to find any of the ninety-eight species of moth or enjoy the magical light-show of the glow-worms.
Taxon |
Vernacular |
Authority |
Individuals |
Status |
| Crambus perlella | (Scopoli, 1763) | 3 | Common | |
| Pyrausta aurata | (Scopoli, 1763) | 2 | Local | |
| Pleuroptya ruralis | Mother of Pearl | (Scopoli, 1763) | 4 | Common |
| Myelois circumvoluta | Thistle Ermine | (Fourceroy, 1785) | 1 | Local |
| Euthrix potatoria | Drinker | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 6 | Common |
| Thyatira batis | Peach Blossom | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 1 | Common |
| Habrosyne pyritoides | Buff Arches | (Hufnagel, 1766) | 1 | Common |
| Hemithea aestivaria | Common Emerald | (Hübner, 1799) | 1 | Common |
| Scopula immutata | Lesser Cream Wave | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 2 | Local |
| Idaea rusticata | Least Carpet | Lempke, 1967 | 2 | Local |
| Idaea biselata | Small Fan-footed Wave | (Hufnagel, 1767) | 2 | Common |
| Idaea aversata ab. remutata | Riband Wave [non-banded form] | 5 | Common | |
| Xanthorhoe designata | Flame Carpet | (Hufnagel, 1767) | 1 | Common |
| Ecliptopera silaceata | Small Phoenix | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) | 1 | Common |
| Opisthograptis luteolata | Brimstone Moth | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 1 | Common |
| Selenia dentaria | Early Thorn | (Fabricius, 1775) | 1 | Common |
| Peribatodes rhomboidaria | Willow Beauty | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) | 2 | Common |
| Phalera bucephala | Buff-tip | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 1 | Common |
| Pheosia tremula | Swallow Prominent | (Clerck, 1759) | 1 | Common |
| Euproctis similis | Yellow-tail | (Fuessly, 1775) | 3 | Common |
| Lymantria monacha | Black Arches | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 2 | Local |
| Thumatha senex | Round-winged Muslin | (Hübner, 1808) | 1 | Local |
| Miltochrista miniata | Rosy Footman | (Forster, 1771) | 4 | Local |
| Eilema lurideola | Common Footman | (Zincken, 1817) | 1 | Common |
| Agrotis puta puta | Shuttle-shaped Dart | (Hübner, 1803) | 3 | Common |
| Ochropleura plecta | Flame Shoulder | (Linnaeus, 1761) | 1 | Common |
| Noctua pronuba | Large Yellow Underwing | Linnaeus, 1758 | 5 | Common |
| Noctua comes | Lesser Yellow Underwing | Hübner, 1813 | 2 | Common |
| Noctua fimbriata | Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing | (Schreber, 1759) | 2 | Common |
| Noctua janthe | Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing | Borkhausen, 1792 | 4 | Common |
| Noctua interjecta | Least Yellow Underwing | Schawerda, 1919 | 1 | Common |
| Diarsia rubi | Small Square-spot | (Vieweg, 1790) | 1 | Common |
| Xestia triangulum | Double Square-spot | (Hufnagel, 1766) | 2 | Common |
| Mamestra brassicae | Cabbage Moth | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 1 | Common |
| Melanchra persicariae | Dot Moth | (Linnaeus, 1761) | 3 | Common |
| Lacanobia oleracea | Bright-line Brown-eye | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 2 | Common |
| Mythimna impura impura | Smoky Wainscot | (Hübner, 1808) | 1 | Common |
| Mythimna pallens | Common Wainscot | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 3 | Common |
| Acronicta tridens/psi | Dark / Grey Dagger | 1 | ||
| Amphipyra tragopoginis | Mouse Moth | (Clerck, 1759) | 1 | Common |
| Cosmia trapezina | Dun-bar | (Linnaeus, 1758) | 2 | Common |
| Apamea monoglypha | Dark Arches | (Hufnagel, 1766) | 4 | Common |
| Apamea ophiogramma | Double Lobed | (Esper, 1793) | 1 | Local |
| Oligia strigilis agg. | Marbled Minor agg. | Unknown | 1 | |
| Mesoligia furuncula | Cloaked Minor | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) | 1 | Common |
| Mesapamea secalis agg. | Common Rustic agg. | 1 | ||
| Archanara geminipuncta | Twin-spotted Wainscot | (Haworth, 1809) | 2 | Local |
| Rivula sericealis | Straw Dot | (Scopoli, 1763) | 1 | Common |
| Zanclognatha tarsipennalis | Fan-foot | (Treitschke, 1835) | 1 | Common |
| Herminia grisealis | Small Fan-foot | ([Denis & Schiffermüller], 1775) | 1 | Common |
| Total: 50 species | ||||
The table below gives the results of a moth survey carried out during an evening in July 2008.