About the reserve

Everybody needs good neighbours

Parson’s Carr is a young nature reserve, but one that’s already attracting interesting wildlife, and has great potential.

Part of a network of sites around Potteric Carr, it is a welcome extension of Potteric Carr's wetland habitat, allowing birds including avocets and marsh harriers to move between the two reserves. A colony of black-headed gulls has been quick to move in too, taking advantage of lakes that were created in 2017.

As you move away from the direction of Potteric Carr, there is wet grassland and previously arable land that has been turned to grass, attracting some bird species not found at Potteric Carr, such as yellowhammers. Brown hares have also been spotted in some of these grasslands, aided by the mixture of hedgerows, nearby fields and places to feed at night.

Bring some binoculars to watch birds on the lakes and islands, from common nesting species in spring to passage waders in autumn and wildfowl in winter. On calm, sunny days look for butterflies on the flowers besides the paths.

One to watch

New ponds with shallow, sloping sides will provide a haven for newts, dragonflies and waders. New hedges will provide additional homes, shelter and food for birds like linnets, reed buntings and yellowhammers, as well as small mammals.

The Trust will soon be introducing grazing by cattle and ponies on the reserve, contained within newly fenced off areas. Grazing will help to manage the drier areas, stop quick growing willows from taking over and provide attractive open habitat for nesting birds