Rush Furlong
Parish: Haxey
OS: 112 • GR: SE 781004 • Map ref: 40
0.40 hectares (1.00acres) • Freehold 1978
Habitat type: Grassland
Location and Access
The reserve lies to the east of the Isle of Axholme's main road, the A161, just north of Haxey. Park on the A161 road and walk up the track to access the reserve.
Description and Management
Rush Furlong is a fragment of the once extensive system of strip farming in the Isle of Axholme that has by chance survived. The nearby land is now mostly arable, but this small meadow grassland strip has been managed only by hay-cutting for as long as can be traced. This regular, unchanging management and lack of disturbance, combined with a soil derived from the base-rich Keuper Marl, has resulted in a rich flora.
Over 60 species of flowering plants have been recorded, including yellow rattle, oxeye daisy, rough hawk's-beard, agrimony, meadow oat-grass and primrose. The speciality of the site is the uncommon green-winged orchid of which several hundred spikes are to be found in most years. Adder's-tongue also occurs.
The management aim is to continue the traditional practice of hay-cutting.
