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Messingham Sand Quarry is to be found close to the village of Messingham in North Lincolnshire in the UK and covers an area of 100 acres. The site contains a variety of interesting and increasingly rare wildlife habitats, which include a number of Lagoons created by previous sand excavations and a mix of heathland and pine woodland.
The Sand Quarry has been declared a site of special scientific interest and is managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, of which both my wife and I are supporters.
A huge variety of flora and fauna can be found within the reserve including six species of Orchid. On previous visits my wife and I have found Bee Orchids growing in the meadows close to the entrance of the reserve.
Over 180 species of bird can be seen within the reserve including, Kingfishers, Pochard, Bewicks Swan, Cormorants and many more to numerous to mention here.
Many birds choose to overwinter here including Teal, Widgeon and Mallard and whatever time of the year you might visit you are sure to find some interesting birds to view, either on the Lagoons or nesting on the Islets specially created for them. Two well-placed bird hides make for excellent all year round viewing in reasonable comfort, and the chance to record your sightings on the record logs available within each hide.
A circular waymarked route will take the visitor around the reserve and through the various habitats contained within. In the summer months the visitor can encounter some amazing varieties of Butterflies, Damselflies and Dragonflies. At the meadow near the entrance many Butterflies can be seen including the Meadow Brown, Peacock and Ringlet Butterfly.
On an early evening visit on a fine late summers day, my wife and I have seen Southern Hawker Dragonflies looking like miniature Helicopters buzzing through the air around us almost like living in some kind of fairytale with the peace and beauty of it all. Four Spotted Chaser and Black Darter Dragonfly can also be found as well as many varieties of Damselfly.
Southern Hawker Dragonfly.
In todays modern world with the pressure of work and everyday living it is all too easy to become distanced from reality. Regular visits to this little wildlife haven which is practically on our doorstep certainly keeps my wife and I grounded and in tune with Nature.
By supporting the Lincolnshire Wildlife trust we hope that many more generations to come will enjoy the beauty and diversity that this reserve and the many others managed by the Trust have to offer.
For more details of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust or to find information on the other reserves managed by them please visit this Link :- Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust
Source: capybara