Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows nature reserve

Information from The Wildlife Trust for , and

 Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund allowed us to buy Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows nature reserve in August 2012 and over the next 2 years we will be doing lots of work to improve the site for people and wildlife.

 It is a 117 hectare site of flooded gravel pits and wet grassland.

 Is of regional, national and international significance for wildlife – in particular for wintering wetland birds e.g. wigeon, tufted duck, gadwall.

 The site was taken on in unfavourable condition due to lack of management which has led to the decline in populations of some species over the years.

 Restoration work includes: scrub removal to create open and shallow areas along lake shores, creating islands on the lakes to encourage birds to breed, ditches to raise the water table and help restore wet grassland, introduction of rare breed grazing cattle.

 As well as improving the habitat, the Wildlife Trust are working with local communities to help raise awareness of the reserve and its wildlife and to encourage people to use and enjoy the site, including on-site events and activities for schools, youth groups and community groups.

 We also have a range of volunteering opportunities for local people to get involved in including regular working parties, helping with events, running school programmes, providing opportunities for pre-school children, our ‘walking wardens’ scheme and heritage project.

 Reserves page; http://www.wildlifebcn.org/reserves/irthlingborough-lakes-and- meadows

Events at Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows in 2013:

- Sat 6th April – Local Memory Gathering - Thurs 11th April – Easter Hunt (rescheduled) - Sun 5th May – Dawn Chorus Walk - Sat 2nd June – The Big lunch (community picnic) - Sat 29th June – Greenway opening event - Mon 19th Aug & Sun 1st Sept – Fishing taster days