The
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) notes that it is the only known remaining natural inland salt meadow in the UK. The site, near the
River Trent, is what remains from the former salt marshes in the Trent Valley where there was once brine extraction; there are two old brine wells on the site. Visitors are advised to keep to the higher ground of the reserve, as there are unfenced wet ditches and boggy areas. There is no parking area.
Habitats and wildlife The plants in the marsh are
halophytes, normally found in
estuaries and
coastal marshes. Seeds of these plants may have reached this site on the feet of migrating birds. Plants to be found here include
red fescue,
common saltmarsh-grass,
lesser sea-spurrey,
saltmarsh rush,
sea plantain and
sea milkwort. It is a habitat for wading birds such as
snipe and
lapwing; other birds to be seen include
meadow pipit,
kestrel and
grey heron. Visitors are asked not to wander beyond the field gate during the bird breeding season. ==References==