Fen Carr Nature Reserve

Sympathetically farmed for nearly half-a-century by a local tenant farmer, Fen Carr comprises of two traditional haymeadows that form part of the pastoral working landscape. Due to the 1825 Hatfield, Thorne and Fishlake Enclosure Award the owner of Fen Carr is required by Parliament to maintain ‘forever’ some of the hedgerows bordering the site. The Award also decrees that the two little brick bridges at the entrances be maintained, and goes as far as to specify the depths and widths of all the ditches.

These ditches are important as the high water table here supports the wildlife present. The reserve is of botanical importance containing over seventy species of which many are locally-rare species as well as nationally-declining species. Sneezewort, sweet vernal grass and pepper saxifrage all grow at Fen Carr. These and others support a healthy population of butterfly and moth species including a number of browns, blues, coppers, hairstreaks, whites and occasional skippers. Of the birds and mammals that visit the reserve of particular interest is the curlew, green and great spotted woodpecker and tawny owl. Roe deer may also be spotted here.

Whilst a late haycut occurs, after which the land is grazed, usually by sheep, little other additional management is required by the Trust as the reserve remains part of a working farm. The Trust does however work to restore the hedgerows in addition to those that were recognised as important in the 1825 Award

Directions

Fen Carr is near to the village of Fishlake, which is two miles from the town of Thorne. Fishlake can be approached from the M18, taking the A641 at Junction 6 and then a minor road (left turn) to Fishlake. Take the Sykehouse road and at the hamlet of Fosterhouses take the road leading east. After half-a-mile it turns sharply north, to the left. After another half-mile the road turns sharply right. On the bend a dirt track runs off to the left (Carr Head Lane). Park on the lane with consideration for farm machinery and walk up it for about 200 yards to the reserve. The reserve is off the beaten track and is a component of a working farm. Visits should be timed in sympathy with traditional agricultural practices.