Wildlife sites and nature reserves within 15 miles of Woodhall Spa.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/

Moor Farm Nature Reserve

Kirkby-on-Bain
Lincolnshire Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 273 - Lincolnshire Wolds South

Grid Reference: TF 226635

One mile north east of village centre. Mosaic of heath, dry and wet pastures, bog and woodland, on Fen-edge sands and gravels. Over 240 species of plant, 100 of bird, 24 of butterfly and 250 of moth have been recorded.

For further information visit the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/moor-farm

Checked 1 Jan 24

Roughton Moor Wood Nature Reserve

Roughton Moor Wood Nature Reserve

Woodhall Spa
Lincolnshire Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 273 - Lincolnshire Wolds South

From Royal Square walk east along Station Road and The Broadway as far as St Peter's Church. Turn right here on to Iddesliegh Road, bear left almost immediately onto Sylvan Avenue and then turn left onto Tor 'O' Moor Road. Turn right onto Kirkby Lane and continue two hundred yards past the cemetery (where the path comes to an end) to the entrance to the Nature Reserve on the left (Grid Reference: TF 212632). The reserve can also be accessed from the Horncastle Road, 100 metres west of Bainland Country Park.

This woodland consists of Oak, Birch, Rowan and Scots pine. Regenerated on former heathland, some remnants of which still survive in open glades. Impressive avenue of ageing Corsican pines planted apparently as the approach to a large house, which was never built.

Varied bird population, including Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Coal Tit and Goldcrest. Fungi are also a notable feature.

For further information visit the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/roughton-moor-wood

Checked 1 Jan 24

Small Copper

Kirkby Moor Nature Reserve

Kirkby-on-Bain & Tattershall Thorpe

Lincolnshire Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 273 - Lincolnshire Wolds South.

From Royal Square walk east along Station Road and The Broadway as far as St Peter's Church. Turn right here on to Iddesliegh Road, bear left almost immediately onto Sylvan Avenue and then turn left onto Tor 'O' Moor Road. Turn right onto Kirkby Lane and continue past the cemetery (where the path comes to an end) and entrance to Ostler's Plantation on the right. The reserve is on the right

Largest remnant of the once extensive heathlands of the Woodhall district. The sands and gravels here were deposited in delta conditions on the edge of the great Fenland Lake during the last Ice Age. A large part of the reserve is dominated by heather, bracken and wavy hair-grass, together with moss and lichen communities. The southern part of the reserve is low lying and contains a lake originally made as a reservoir. There is oak, birch and pine woodland, and developing birch, hawthorn and sallow scrub with rowan and alder buckthorn. 250 species of plant, 275 moths, 20 butterflies and 11 dragonflies recorded so far. About 60 species of birds breed on the reserve in most years and over 100 species have so far been recorded.

Seen on the site: Small Copper, Small Heath, Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown, White Admiral, Red Admiral, Clouded Yellow, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Brown Argus, Common Blue, Holly Blue, Silver Washed Fritillary, Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Comma, Green Veined White

For further information visit the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/kirkby-moor

Updated 7 Jul 24

Kirkby Gravel Pits

Kirkby Gravel Pits Nature Reserve

Tattershall Thorpe

Lincolnshire Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 273 - Lincolnshire Wolds South.

This reserve can be accessed from the Kirkby-on-Bain to Coningsby road (Grid Reference: 236609)

Marsh/Wetland

Much of the reserve consists of worked-out shallow sandpits with some grassland, willow scrub and recently planted trees. Excellent birdwatching site.

Spring and summer - breeding birds, such as Oystercatcher, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers, Common Tern. Lesser Black-Backed Gulls have also been known to nest here.

Migration: Dunlin, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank, Green and Wood Sandpipers and Ruff are regular visitors, and Temminck’s stint has been recorded on several occasions.

Winter: Mallard, Feral Greylag Geese, Tufted Duck, Shoveler and many other ducks.

Kingfishers and Yellow Wagtails nest in the area. Sand Martin colony.

For further information visit the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/kirkby-gravel-pits

Updated 15 May 21

Snipe Dales Nature Reserve and Country Park

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map 273 - Lincolnshire Wolds South.

This reserve is 10 miles north east of Woodhall Spa and can be accessed from the B1195 Horncastle to Spilsby Road:

Nature Reserve Grid Reference: TF 319683

Country Park Grid Reference: TF 330682

Breeding birds include grasshopper warbler, willow warbler, sedge warbler, meadow pipit and yellow hammer.

For further information visit the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/snipe-dales

Updated 26 Dec 19

Woodhall Spa Airfield

Woodhall Spa Airfield was formerly the home of four brave RAF squadrons, including 617 ‘The Dambusters’ Squadron, but more recently was used as a sand and gravel quarry.

As a nature reserve it is a haven for wildlife as well as a place where visitors can share in the unique and peaceful atmosphere of this former airfield.

Seen on the site: Marsh Harrier, Peregrine Falcon, Buzzard, Hobby, Mute Swan, Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Egyptian Geese, Whooper Swan, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Shelduck, Black-Headed Gull, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Great Egret, Cormorant, Common Tern, Lapwing, Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker, Meadow Pipit, Great Tit, Long-Tailed Tit, Yellow Hammer, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat. Starling, Skylark, Stonechat, Wheatear, Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail, Oyster Catcher, Little Ringed Plover, Bearded Tit, Magpie, Raven, Jay, Jackdaw

Website: www.lincstrust.org.uk/woodhall-airfield

Updated 4 Jan 21