A wildlife-rich mosaic of habitats with free parking and a Visitor Centre just off the A1
Fungi: earthstars Earthstars are one of the most unusual fungi you will find at Paxton Pits. When the fruiting bodies first emerge from the ground, they are small and spherical and unlikely to attract your attention. Soon, however, the outer layer splits into five or more rays which spread out horizontally like a saucer, with… Read More
Migrant hawker dragonflies Even though autumn is here, there will still be plenty of dragonflies on the wing, especially if the weather stays warm. If you see a dark, medium-sized, fast-flying species it is likely to be a migrant hawker. As its name suggests, it was once an uncommon migrant to the UK but now… Read More
Sand Martins In the spring, sand martins are the first of the swallow family to arrive from Africa. A small number nest in the gravel workings at Paxton Pits and you can see them swooping over the reserve, catching flies on the wing, especially over the water. They are similar in shape to house martins,… Read More
Image by Natural England, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Latin name: Egretta garzetta This beautiful, elegant bird is a small white member of the heron family, which comprises of 60 species and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. The Little Egret is now widespread in Europe, where the birds which breed in the north of… Read More
Linnets Farmland birds have declined dramatically in the UK over the last forty years, largely due to changing agricultural practices. At Paxton Pits, we sow seed-bearing crops to provide much-needed winter sustenance for finches and other seed-eating birds. If you look in Peter’s Field, or in the hedgerows and trees alongside, you are likely to… Read More
