The Sturts East

Knapweed

Chris Gomersall/2020VISION

Wet rough grassland fields subject to winter flooding with hedgerows and ponds.

Location

The Sturts East nature reserve
Letton
Herefordshire
HR3 6QA

OS Map Reference

SO 341 478
A static map of The Sturts East

Know before you go

Size
6 hectares
P

Parking information

There is room for two cars on the verge by the entrance gate to Waterloo. Alternatively, please use the parking area at The Sturts North and walk to the reserve.

Grazing animals

Seasonal livestock grazing.

Walking trails

The reserve is fairly level walking and easily accessible, but avoid trampling the vegetation in the wetter areas. Conditions underfoot can be wet, even in summer.

Access

There are no surfaced paths at this reserve.

Dogs

On a lead

When to visit

Opening times

Dawn to dusk

Best time to visit

April to August

About the reserve

The Sturts (East) reserve comprises six fields. Two of them, Waterloo and Smith's Meadow, are wet, rough grassland fields, separated by an old hedge. Both fields are subject to winter flooding, and the repeated silt deposition has built up a rich deep, moisture retentive soil. Ragged robin, marsh bedstraw, lesser spearwort and three species of juncus rush are found in the hollows and ditches, whilst plants such as common knapweed, devil's-bit scabious, pignut, meadow vetchling and cuckooflower occur on the areas of drier grassland.

A series of permanent and seasonal ponds across the reserve support a range of aquatic invertebrates, including several rare beetles. An interesting and notable variety of water plants flourish in and around the ponds, such as water-dropwort, water starwort, greater spearwort and the rare orange foxtail grass. Look for common blue, bluetailed, large red and emerald damselflies, as well as common and ruddy darters. Mammals recorded on the reserve include fox, bank vole, field vole, common shrew and harvest mice, which have been found in the rough, swampy grassland.

During periods of flood waders and wildfowl may be attracted in to feed. Lapwing and curlew have visited, while groups of mallard and teal are occasionally recorded. Snipe are a regular winter visitor to the wet flushes and hollows.

Contact us

Lewis Goldwater

Environmental designation

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)
Map showing Sturts East, North and South

Map showing Sturts East, North and South

Wildflower meadow of yellow and white flowers with tall hedgerow in background and hills beyond

Davies Meadow Nature Reserve (Paul Lloyd)

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