Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows

Irthlingborough Lakes and Meadows is a 117-hectare nature reserve in Northamptonshire managed by the Wildlife Trust. It sits beside the River Nene and consists of flooded gravel pits and wet grassland. The site forms part of the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits Site of Special Scientific Interest. It lies close to other reserves such as Higham Ferrers Pits and Stanwick Lakes. The landscape today is the result of sand and gravel extraction that ended in 2002. The reserve supports internationally important wetland birdlife. Thousands of wildfowl and waders stop over each winter, including golden plover, wigeon and tufted duck. Rare wetland plants grow around the lakes and river, such as meadowsweet and common spotted orchid. The Wildlife Trust has created new islands and removed willow and pylons to improve habitats. Grazing and scrub control maintain a mix of open water and grassland for wildlife. Visitors walk along paths beside the lakes and river. The reserve offers views across open water and wet grassland. Seasonal changes bring different birds and plants into view. The site links with neighbouring reserves, forming a larger protected landscape. Management keeps the wetlands open and the grasslands varied for wildlife to thrive.