A Hidden Gem

Hatfield Moors showing cotton grass in early June © Carl Cornish

A Hidden Gem The Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve Sue Plaxton & Janet Canning

It’s hard to visit the remarkable Humberhead Peatlands NNR in South Yorkshire without feeling you’ve discovered something special. The boggy, lowland mire that makes up the reserve is one of the country’s rarest and most threatened habitats. Covering 2878 hectares, the equivalent of roughly 3,000 football pitches, the reserve is made up of Thorne, Goole, Crowle Moors and Hatfield Moors.

The mixture of habitats, including peatland, marsh, woodland and gravel pits, means the area is incredibly rich in wildlife. The reserve supports over 5,000 species of plants and animals, of which more than 4,000 are insects – many of these are scooped up in the air by one of the reserve’s star attractions; the mysterious, nocturnal and very rare nightjar. Did you know that the area was once part of a pine and oak forest and the remains of bog pines and oaks can still be found in places today near the base of the peat? During early post-glacial times, a warmer and relatively dry climate enabled growth of thick vegetation and woodland but as sea levels rose, areas flooded and rivers deposited alluvial clay soils. Wetter climatic conditions and poorly-draining soils resulted in a deep layer of fen peat to form and continued peat growth on Thorne and Hatfield Moors in areas above groundwater level developed into raised mires. Throughout recorded history, the peat on Thorne and Hatfield Moors has been worked for animal litter and fuel, then more recently, up until 2004 for horticultural purposes on a commercial scale. Peat extraction has damaged the peat but nowadays the Moors are legally protected by nature conservation designations. Natural England’s priority is to restore the habitat, advance research and engage with visitors as it is also designated as Open Access.

Connect with Nature – it’s good for your well-being! The Nature Reserve provides great opportunities for visitors to connect with nature and organised activities are on offer throughout the year, many of which are free including:

Adder Spotting guided walk in March Spring walk in April Dawn Chorus in May Nightjar walk in June Evening walks Butterfly and dragonfly walk in July Water colour Sketching in August Fungus ID walk in Oct Autumn walk in Nov Scrub bashing day in January Summer holiday events and half term events

However, to ensure these events are well organised, booking may be required so it’s best to contact us. Also, keep in touch via our Facebook page where details of dates can be found nearer the time: facebook.com/humberheadpeatland

The summer holiday trail on Hatfield Moors is a great way to explore nature. It starts at Boston Park car park with all you need to take part independently. A number of activity rucksacks are available so that you can go bug hunting or pond dipping as a family on Hatfield Moors. Hire is free with a deposit refundable upon return. All packs contain full instructions and a map of the Reserve where activities can be applied.

Common cottongrass © Peter Roworth

Moors, starting from Boston Park and Ten Acre Lake car parks or the Wroot bridge access, and on Thorne Moors starting from Grange Road or Wilkinson Avenue - both from Moorends). There are viewing towers on Thorne and Hatfield that offer elevated views of this vast landscape. It’s a site for all seasons. In early summer, large areas are covered white with the nodding seed heads of cotton-grass, late summer offers a seasonal highlight of flowering heather and autumn casts all shades of colour as life begins to wane and shut down and winter offers more open views of landscapes after leaves have fallen and bracken has subsided Also of interest on Hatfield Moors is a re-creation of a 5,000-year old Lindholme Neolithic trackway and platform replica. The original trackway is a significant historic finding as it is the earliest of its type found in the UK. It was discovered on Hatfield Moors by local man M.E. Oliver and investigated archaeologically between 2004- 2006. Thanks to a National Lottery-funded project, last year, a group of 25 volunteers, (known as the Community of Builders) came together from across the Isle of Axholme and Doncaster area to build the replica where more visitors can view and walk the structure. Why our peatlands are so special? Lowland raised bogs are one of the most threatened habitats in Western Europe. Around 94% have been destroyed or damaged in the UK so restoration of the Humberhead Peatlands is a priority and over time, will help reduce the impacts of climate change because fullyfunctioning peatland can capture carbon. Hatfield Moors is also home to the rare nightjar which overwinters in Africa but breeds in heathland, forestry plantations and lowland peatlands between May and September. Nightjars feed at night on moths and other flying insects, foraging both on the peatlands and in the wider countryside. Rare plants, birds and insects that have evolved to live on this unique wetland habitat include specialised insects and spiders as well as mosses and plants. The Moors are home to some insects that occur virtually nowhere else in Britain: the Thorne pin palp beetle (Bembidion humerale), and the mire pill beetle (Curimopsis nigrita). Some insects have curious names such as the hairy canary fly (Phaonia jaroschewskii). The Benefits of Volunteering Regular volunteers work on Hatfield and Thorne Moors, undertaking a range of activities. Volunteering helps conserve this special habitat and enables people to learn new skills. Opportunities to get involved include: Practical habitat and access management Recording wildlife Events and wardening Talking to visitors or helping out at events Or even helping in a busy office. No minimum time commitment, you choose how much you do, and when, working with the volunteer coordinator. The rewards are two-fold for physical and mental wellbeing and an opportunity to make new friends. For further details contact humberhead. peatlands@naturalengland.org. uk Tel: 01302 846014. Natural England, Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve, Bawtry Road, Hatfield Woodhouse, Doncaster. DN7 6BF www.humberheadpeatlands.org.uk/ www.facebook.com/ humberheadpeatland