Moreton Pit Light Railway » Nature Reserve

Nature Reserve

The primary function of the MPLR Nature Reserve is to provide a varied and secure environment for wildlife and to encourage the public to enjoy our rich natural heritage in a sustainable manner. Many species of birds are regularly seen on the reserve, including Sparrowhawk, Little Owl, Green Woodpecker and Yellow Wagtail to name but a few. Mammals on the reserve include rabbits, moles, bats and fox. Amphibians include the common frog, newt and toad. Below is a photo taken of a particularly cute bunny rabbit seen on the reserve during the spring 2006.

Many invertebrates are seen here, including damselfly and dragonfly during the season. The lakes are well stocked with carp and until last year were the home to a sturgeon. Sadly ‘Steven the Sturgeon’(below) our answer to ‘Nessie’, passed away in 2005. He measured over 16 meters long!, scale length of course. When he arrived here he only measured a few inches. On the positive side, the reserve are in negotiations regarding a replacement.

The varied wildlife on the reserve attract a wide range of mammals and birds. Below a fox checks for trains before drinking from the lake.

Many birds have been spotted on the reserve. Ranging from a resident Sparrowhawk to yellow wagtails, from little owls to the rare ‘Guffinhawk’. Sadly we have yet to get photographic evidence of the presence of the Guffinhawk. Below is a small selection of birds that can be regularly seen on the reserve.

One of a pair of mallards that took to visiting the ‘lake’ during the spring, we look forward to them returning.

A new one for us, a grey wagtail enjoying the stream and waterfall.

The back-end (if you pardon the expression) of a juvenile goldfinch sitting on the high voltage cables (lucky he’s not a fried finch!).

The pair of mallards did return and weren’t alone either! In the late spring of 2007 we had a delightful visit of a female mallard and her newly hatched brood!

6 lovely fluffy ducklings and she looks so pleased with herself!

One of the things that the Moreton Pit Reserve is very proud of is the large numbers of House Sparrows that can be seen at almost any time of the day. House and Tree Sparrows are getting scarcer and both types have been seen about the Reserve but it is mainly the House Sparrow that seems to have really made themselves at ‘home’!

Trouble is, their presence has also been noted by their arch enemy the Sparrowhawk!

The Spring of 2008 was a bumper year for the MPLR mallards and we are pleased to announce that there were 3 broods altogether with a grand total of 14 ducklings! This was spread over about a month with the first ducklings being hatching just a week before the June Open Day! The last brood, at the end of July, was only briefly seen away from the pond as a nervous ‘mum’ was trying to keep her ducklings away from a very noisy flock of Jackdaws. But, the Reserve Manager did manage to take a quick snap of each new ‘mum’!

Mum number 1 was very confident and we presumed her to be the same duck that was seen in 2007. She confidently led her brood of 7 to the water and stayed all day.

Mum number 2 seemed to be younger and a little more nervous she only had 3 ducklings and they seemed keener to get into the water than she was!

Unfortunately, number 3 duck was only briefly seen from far way, and although it does not look it, she did actually have 4 ducklings. We hope that all 3 females will return next year and maybe beat the record? By the way, we only ever had one drake who hung around with the females, here he is a bit tired!

The lakes and wetlands provide a good habitat for a range of amphibians too.

All of the photos on this page were actually taken on the ‘reserve’. Watch this space for further additions as and when we can ’snap’ them.

Remember the country code, leave gates as you find them and remember to be considerate around hides and view points. Do not disturb enjoyment of other visitors.
Telescopes and binoculars are available to visitors for hire.