Sandy Smith Nature Reserve

Sandy Smith Nature Reserve, owned and managed by The Greensand Trust, lies on the floodplain and northern slopes of the Flit Valley between Clophill and Chicksands, covering an area of 93ha.  The River Flit flows through the southern end of the site; either side are wet marshy grassland, ponds, small areas of reeds and wet woodland.

Plants of wet grassland such as meadow sweet and purple loosestrife are found here, together with dragonflies and damselflies, and birds such as reed buntings and sedge warblers.

To the north lies a large former arable field.  Since the site became a nature reserve in 2006 hedgerows have been planted to create smaller fields and the land has been grazed.  It is now developing into a valuable area of grassland and scrub, home to farmland wildlife such as skylarks, yellowhammers, barn owls and harvest mice.

Address – near Speeds Dairy Farm, Beadlow  [postcode for Speeds Farmhouse is SG17 5PL]

Grid reference of reserve entrance – TL109387

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