Boston Road Brick Pits
Parish: Gosberton
OS: 131 • GR: TF 247319 • Map ref: 7
1.80 hectares (4.50acres) • Freehold 1967
Habitat type: Grassland
Location and Access
The pits are located on the south side of the B1397 road at the east end of Gosberton village. Cars should not be parked where they will obstruct the drive to the adjacent house. Please also ensure that the gate is kept shut as sheep may be present in the reserve.
Description and Management
The reserve comprises part of an area of old clay pits with grassland, reedbeds, ponds and orchard. There is good aquatic habitat, with plants such as common reed, yellow water-lily and yellow iris. There is also a wide variety of nesting birds, including spotted flycatcher, reed and sedge warblers, coot and mallard. Finches, buntings and kingfisher are frequent visitors. Meadow brown, gatekeeper and ringlet butterflies may be seen in summer. In autumn red admirals feed on rotting fallen fruit, which also attracts fieldfares and redwings during the early winter months.
Management is primarily designed to maintain the intimate character of the old orchard with its mixture of fruit trees and adjoining broadleaved scrub. The sheltered grass paddocks are maintained by sheep grazing.
