in the 13th century. The second ridge on the The commoner grassland butterflies are all northern half of the reserve, enclosing the found on the reserve, and green hairstreaks OS: 113/122 • GR: TF 467 917 • 951ha freshwater marsh, developed in the mid- are a notable feature of early summer. (2349.97 acres) • Freehold, Leasehold & 1800s following the diversion of the Great Moths include a range of marsh and Management Agreement 1968 Eau. New dunes are now forming along the saltmarsh species, some of which are scarce. Habitat type: Coastland southern half of the reserve. Dykes and ponds support a variety of aquatic creatures, including dragonflies, The -Theddlethorpe reserve In July and August, the saltmarsh is striking beetles, boatmen, skaters and the water occupies 8.2km (5 miles) of coast between as it is covered with an abundance of sea- spider. Frogs, toads and smooth newts all North End in the south and lavender. Other plants include thrift, sea abound, but the most notable of the Haven in the north. There are six aster and the silver-grey-leaved sea- amphibians is the rare nocturnal natterjack main access points from the A1031 coast purslane. Extensive samphire beds occur at toad for which this is one of only two road at (from north to south): Paradise (GR: the seaward accreting side of the marsh. In localities. A variety of birds TF 456934), Sea View (GR: TF 465924), places at the top of the marsh freshwater breed, including shelduck, redshank and Rimac (GR: TF 467917), Coastguard Cottages species are beginning to colonise. Visitors nine types of warbler. The greatest variety (GR: TF 478901), Brickyard (GR: TF 483893) are advised to be aware of the large creeks of birds occurs at migration, while in winter and Crook Bank (GR: TF 489882). There are in the northern saltmarsh and the danger of birds of prey are attracted by the large parking places at each of these entrances. rising tides flooding up the creeks; for your numbers of waders feeding on the open Although most of the reserve is open to the safety it is important to check the local tide shore and berry- and seed-eaters flocking to public, visitors are requested to keep out of table. the shrublands and saltmarsh. the signed sanctuary area. The old sand dunes support a rich flora, Management has concentrated on An easy access trail, with display boards, has especially where grazing keeps a short turf. reestablishing traditional grazing and been constructed at Rimac to allow people A wide range of grasses occur with sand and haycutting regimes to much of the dunes of less mobility to see much of the habitat glaucous sedge, and there are many and freshwater marsh. Most of the old dyke described. colourful flowers, including autumnal and pond network has also been re - hawkbit, bird's-foot trefoil, common habilitated and some new ponds have been centaury, field mouse-ear, viper's-bugloss dug. This work has been essential in order to and calcicolous plants such as felwort, fairy The larger part, 556 hectares, is a statutory maintain the abundant wildlife of the open flax, carline thistle, and pyramidal and bee National Nature Reserve managed by grasslands and the freshwater marsh. orchids. On a few slopes there are patches Natural . Approximately 23 hectares Several acres of seabuckthorn have been of the rare sand-dune form of lesser are managed by the Trust on a licence removed from the old dune ridge to allow meadow-rue. In the absence of grazing, agreement with the Ministry of Defence. the rich grass sward to recolonise. Another 4.4 hectares are leased from the false oat-grass followed by scrub of sea- Environment Agency, 1.6 hectares are buckthorn, elder and hawthorn become leased from Lincolnshire County Council, dominant. The foredunes are colonised by and the Trust owns 43 hectares including sand couch and stabilised by marram, sea the Sea View Field and Rimac Bridge. The lyme-grass and red fescue. total area within the SSSI is 951 hectares. The freshwater marsh is of an unusual kind, The whole area is managed in close termed 'maritime fen'. Greater pond-sedge, cooperation between the Trust and Natural sea club-rush and common reed are the England. This important reserve contains dominant plants. However, in more open tidal sand and mudflats, salt and freshwater areas and along edges where the vegetation marshes and sand dunes. On the foreshore, is shorter, there is a great variety of plants, accreting mud and silt flats and saltmarsh in including kingcup, lesser spearwort and the north give way to a narrower sandy yellow flag among the more colourful, with beach at the southern end. The sand dunes rare or localised species, such as marsh are also much wider in the north and there arrowgrass, lesser water-plantain, bog is an extensive freshwater marsh between pimpernel, skullcap, great water-parsnip two dune ridges, which converge into a and marsh pea. Marsh helleborine also narrower ridge south of Churchill Lane at occurs. In many years a spectacular display Theddlethorpe. The much older landward of early and southern marshorchids and dunes developed on a storm beach formed their hybrids can be seen in June.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Banovallum House, Manor House Street, , Lincolnshire LN9 5HF Tel: 01507 526667 | Email: [email protected] | www.lincstrust.org.uk Registered charity no. 218895

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, Lincolnshire LN9 5HF Tel: 01507 526667 | Email: [email protected] | www.lincstrust.org.uk Registered charity no. 218895