Matt Cox, NW Lincolnshire Warden, led us round one part of the 73 hectare Scotton Common nature reserve. It has several differing habitats including lowland heathland and acid grassland, extending easterly almost to Scotton village. We concentrated on the most western section of (not so) wet and dry heath.
This is the first reserve to be purchased by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and is an important last remaining fragment of the once extensive heathlands of the area. Matt explained the area is continuously evolving, so to retain the open heathland habitat, the encroaching birch and conifer saplings need controlling.
Matt showed us three types of heather: ling, bell and cross-leaved heath. A small number of marsh gentians were also in flower despite the exceptionally hot and dry weather.
He pointed out Brasier's Pond which is normally 1-2 metres deep but currently almost devoid of water, it is surrounded by a healthy swathe of bog myrtle. Other plants found at the reserve during the year include bog asphodel, round-leaved sundew and heath spotted-orchid.
Birds present during the breeding season include tree pipit, woodlark and nightjar. Adders and common lizards live here, also a wide range of butterflies and insects have been recorded. The reserve is dedicated to the memory Joe Duddington who was a well-known local expert on butterflies and moths.
Sheep and cattle help with management at certain times of the year.
