A wildlife-rich mosaic of habitats with free parking and a Visitor Centre just off the A1
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
Gadwall The gadwall is a very easily overlooked duck. At first glance, the male is a rather dull grey but if you get close, you’ll see that it has very smart, finely speckled plumage, complementing its dark grey bill and tail. The female is very similar to a female mallard. The gadwall is one of… Read More
Shovelers One look at the broad bill of a shoveler will tell you how it got its name and how it feeds. You can watch them sweeping their bills from side to side through the water, filtering out plants and invertebrates. They find most food in shallow water and the flooded meadows proved very popular… Read More
Green Woodpeckers One of the most common and loudest bird calls that you are likely to hear at Paxton Pits at any time of the year is the “yaffle” of the green woodpecker. There are plenty around this Autumn, so you are very likely to hear one and there is also a good chance that… Read More
Returning ducks Many of the ducks at Paxton Pits leave us in the Spring to breed in Northern Britain or Scandinavia. By October, they have returned to spend the winter in our milder climate and you will see far more on the reserve than in the summer months. The wigeon is one of the more… Read More
