Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Location and Access OS: 113 and 122 • GR: TF 467917 (Rimac Wider in the North and There Is an Reed Are the Dominant Plants
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Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Location and Access OS: 113 and 122 • GR: TF 467917 (Rimac wider in the north and there is an reed are the dominant plants. However, entrance) • Part freehold, part extensive freshwater marsh between in more open areas and along edges leasehold, part management agreement two dune ridges, which converge into a where the vegetation is shorter, there is 1968 narrower ridge south of Churchill Lane a great variety of plants, including Habitat type: Coastland at Theddlethorpe. The much older kingcup, lesser spearwort and yellow landward dunes developed on a storm flag among the more colourful, with rare The Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe reserve beach formed in the 13th century. The or localised species, such as marsh occupies 8.2 km (5 miles) of coast second ridge on the northern half of the arrowgrass, lesser water-plantain, bog between Mablethorpe North End in the reserve, enclosing the freshwater pimpernel, skullcap, great water-parsnip south and Saltfleet Haven in the north. marsh, developed in the mid-1800s and marsh pea. Marsh helleborine also There are six main access points from following the diversion of the Great Eau. occurs. In many years a spectacular the A1031 coast road at (from north to New dunes are now forming along the display of early and southern marsh- south): Paradise (GR: TF 456934), Sea southern half of the reserve. orchids and their hybrids can be seen in View (GR: TF 465924), Rimac (GR: TF June. 467917), Coastguard Cottages (GR: TF In July and August, the saltmarsh is 478901), Brickyard (GR: TF 483893) and striking as it is covered with an The commoner grassland butterflies are Crook Bank (GR: TF 489882). There are abundance of sea-lavender. Other all found on the reserve, and green parking places at each of these plants include thrift, sea aster and the hairstreaks are a notable feature of entrances. Although most of the reserve silver-grey-leaved sea-purslane. early summer. Moths include a range of is open to the public, visitors are Extensive samphire beds occur at the marsh and saltmarsh species, some of requested to keep out of the signed seaward accreting side of the marsh. In which are scarce. Dykes and ponds sanctuary areas. places at the top of the marsh support a variety of aquatic creatures, freshwater species are beginning to including dragonflies, beetles, boatmen, An easy access trail, with display boards, colonise. Visitors are advised to be skaters and the water spider. Frogs, has been constructed at Rimac to allow aware of the large creeks in the toads and smooth newts all abound, but people of less mobility to see much of northern saltmarsh and the danger of the most notable of the amphibians is the habitat described. rising tides flooding up the creeks; for the rare nocturnal natterjack toad for your safety it is important to check the which this is one of only two Description and Management local tide table. Lincolnshire localities. A variety of birds breed, including shelduck, redshank and The larger part, 556 hectares, is a The old sand dunes support a rich flora, nine types of warbler. The greatest statutory National Nature Reserve especially where grazing keeps a short variety of birds occurs at migration, managed by Natural England. turf. A wide range of grasses occur with while in winter birds of prey are Approximately 33 hectares are managed sand and glaucous sedge, and there are attracted by the large numbers of by the Trust on a licence agreement many colourful flowers, including waders feeding on the open shore and with the Ministry of Defence. Another 4 autumnal hawkbit, bird's-foot trefoil, berry- and seed-eaters flocking to the hectares are leased from the common centaury, field mouse-ear, shrublands and saltmarsh. Environment Agency, 1.6 hectares are viper's-bugloss and calcicolous plants leased from Lincolnshire County Council, such as felwort, fairy flax, carline thistle, Management has concentrated on re- and the Trust owns 47 hectares and pyramidal and bee orchids. On a establishing traditional grazing and hay- including the Sea View Field and Rimac few slopes there are patches of the rare cutting regimes to much of the dunes Bridge. The total area within the SSSI is sand-dune form of lesser meadow-rue. and freshwater marsh. Most of the old 951 hectares. The whole area is In the absence of grazing, false oat-grass dyke and pond network has also been re managed in close cooperation between followed by scrub of sea-buckthorn, -habilitated and some new ponds have the Trust and Natural England. This elder and hawthorn become dominant. been dug. This work has been essential important reserve contains tidal sand The foredunes are colonised by sand in order to maintain the abundant and mudflats, salt and freshwater couch and stabilised by marram, sea wildlife of the open grasslands and the marshes and sand dunes. On the lyme-grass and red fescue. freshwater marsh. Several acres of sea- foreshore, accreting mud and silt flats buckthorn have been removed from the and saltmarsh in the north give way to a The freshwater marsh is of an unusual old dune ridge to allow the rich grass narrower sandy beach at the southern kind, termed 'maritime fen'. Greater sward to recolonise. end. The sand dunes are also much pond-sedge, sea club-rush and common 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 Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR 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 .