|
The path across The Moors takes you past a spring head known as the "Sandboils" and through another meadow which is often grazed by Highland cattle in the early summer before they go onto the wetter fen in mid-summer. Grazing the Moors is important as the cattle help control invasive trees, bushes and coarse vegetation that would otherwise turn the fen into a wet woodland. |
 |
 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor) |
Following the footpath around the top of The Moors takes you through a small wooded area. This is a good place to see woodland birds such as woodpeckers. All three British species breed on The Moors – Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) and Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos minor), the latter is shown opposite. There is always a good chance of seeing and hearing a Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) squeaking from the large mature oak trees (Quercus robur) that grow along the old boundary bank of the reserve. |
|
In the early spring Lesser Celandines
(Ranunculus ficaria) form a yellow carpet along the paths. Later,
patches of Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum) growing on the wood bank
make their presence known by their pungent smell as you pass by. Speckled
Wood (Pararge aegeria) butterflies are often seen during the summer
months dancing in sunny spots along the path. |
|
|
|
| The footpath then takes you out into another meadow with views over the heart of the Moors reserve, keep your eyes open for Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) that often feed out in the open fen. | |
 |
On a summer’s evening walk you may see large Noctule Bats (Nyctalus noctula) flying high over the fen chasing insects before dusk. Bats are no longer common across Europe; all bats are now protected by European law. To find out more about bats in the UK visit the Bat Conservation Trust web site: www.bats.org.uk |