Maltby Low Common Nature Reserve

Maltby Low Common is leased from the Earl of Scarborough and was opened as a Nature Reserve in 1971. Variation in the type of soil gives rise to two distinct habitats – dry grassland and fen meadow. The southern part of the reserve has typical limestone grassland species including grass of Parnassus, field scabious and small scabious. The flat area below the bank includes species more typical of fen meadow.

Other plants to be found include marsh valerian, mat grass, tufted hair grass, heather, pepper saxifrage, meadow thistle, sneezewort, lousewort and aspen. Sedges include glaucous, oval and carnation. At the appropriate time common spotted-orchid are abundant. The reserve has a rich invertebrate fauna with well over 400 species recorded to date. Many species of butterfly and moth can be seen including brimstone, orange tip, small copper, wall, heath, cinnabar and silver Y. Birds to be seen from the reserve include buzzard, kestrel, turtle dove, cuckoo, barn owl, common whitethroat and garden warbler. In the winter, parties of foraging tits and thrushes can be seen.

As far as we know Maltby Low Common has never been ploughed, fertilised or treated with herbicides. The reserve forms part of the Maltby Common Local Nature Reserve.

Directions

The reserve is situated about one mile south-east of Maltby. From the M18 Junction 1 take the A631 to Maltby. Then take the right fork, the A634 Blyth road. After passing Maltby Craggs School, turn left at the next signpost, then right after 100 yards. Pass the Sports Ground and park cars near the corner where the road turns left into the Birks Holt housing estate. Proceed on foot over the railway bridge, along the unsurfaced track and descend to the Low Common.