Barkway pit is also a chalk exposure, but here a series of major and minor faults can be seen. These are the result of the action of the ancient ice sheet that once covered East Anglia, and which crumpled the chalk and pushed it over the boulder clay. The surrounding vegetation is mainly chalk scrub, including wild plum and downy rose.
Barkway Pit is leased from North Herts District Council.
Although a small reserve many diffferent species of bird can be seen and are quite easy to find. Parties of long tailed tits often work their way through the shrubs surrounding the chalk face and in the summer months whitethroats sing from the hedgerows bordering the pit. Other species recorded are yellowhammer, spotted flycatcher, blue tit and tawny owl.
Butterflies recorded at the reserve include orange tip, green veined white and meadow brown, with areas of grassland being encouraged to develop to provide nectar sources for these and other species.
Summer at Barkway
Though a small reserve Barkway supports a wide variety of wildlife. Butterflies that can be seen at this time of year include large skipper, common blue and orange tip. Many different types of flower can be found on the reserve, some typical of chalk such as marjoram and agrimony.
As the summer progresses birds become quieter and less easy to spot. Many different species nest on the reserve and will be busy feeding young. Look out for young tits as they forage with their parents in the shrubs and whitethroats along the hedgerows.
At this time of year work on the reserve focuses on maintaining the footpath which leads to the chalk face. Large areas of nettles are left as an excellent habitat for butterflies and nesting birds but the path leading to the chalk face is regularly cut to prrovide access for visitors.
