Barkway Chalk Pit
A small reserve with interesting geology that supports many birds
You can see a series of major and minor faults on the chalk face here. 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.
Although a small reserve many different species of bird can be seen at Barkway and are quite easy to find. Parties of long tailed tits often work their way through the shrubs surrounding the chalk face. 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.
Barkway Pit is leased from North Herts District Council.
Autumn/Winter
The reserve can be quite quiet at this time of year, although many different birds can be seen both in the pit and the surrounding area. Common species such as robin, wren, dunnock and blackbird can be found together with farmland species such as yellowhammer and corn bunting.
Management work on the reserve focuses on clearing the chalk face and cutting the path which leads into the reserve. During the summer months large areas of nettles grow on the reserve so small areas are cut to allow access. Most are left to provide excellent habitat for butterflies and nesting birds.
