About the reserve

This former iron works site is now an attractive 5 hectare Local Nature Reserve (LNR) situated between the famous Darlington to Stockton railway line

The reserve comprises a series of species rich grasslands with small ponds, secondary woodland and scrub habitats. The western meadows consist of  species-rich calcareous grassland which has colonised an area of basic slag with typical species being red fescue, quaking-grass,  yellow-wort, fairy flax, common bird’s-foot-trefoil, fragrant orchid, cowslip and agrimony . They attract many butterflies including dingy skipper, common blue, small and large skipper and small copper. In contract the grasslands at the eastern end of the site occupy land impounded by the slopes of the railway and adjacent road  and as such contain wet grassland species such as ragged robin, devils bit scabious, great burnet, yellow flag and a number of sedge and rush species. The site is great place for watching for butterflies and birds. Notable bird species present on site include Reed bunting, Lapwing, Curlew, Skylark, Tree sparrow, Linnet, Bullfinch, Yellow hammer and Kestrel. During the summer months the ponds are a great place to watch Dragonflies and Damselflies.