Lintzgarth Fell was purchased by Philip Wayre in October 2000 and presented by him to the Trust in 2006.
Covering 482 acres the land is largely moorland with in bye land, hay meadows and a small ‘cleugh’ at the lower end of the reserve.
The vegetation of the fell itself is typical of the area with species such as cotton-grass (Eriophorum augustifolium), red fescue (Festuca rubra), common bent (Agrostis capillaris), mat grass (Nardus stricta) and wavy hair-grass (Deschampsia flexuosa). The Trust aims to regenerate the dwarf shrub species which have suffered due to overgrazing in the past. Encouraging ling (Calluna vulgaris), cross-leaved heath (Erica tetralix) bell heather (Erica cinerea) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) will add to the diversity of vegetation on the reserve. Parcels of woodland planting are planned to provide additional cover for the increasing numbers of black grouse and other species.
The reserve rises to 554 metres above sea level, from this one can see virtually the whole of the reserve sloping down to the north. A public footpath passes through the northern end of the fell following an old lead-mining trail. Lower down the fell an old mining settlement pit has been flooded and attracts mallard and other wildfowl throughout the year. Over 40 scrapes have been excavated to attract nesting waders as they provide an abundance of insect life upon which the young birds feed.
Wild flowers and grasses flourish on the hay meadows which are carefully managed to conserve the floral diversity of the area. The wide variety of species encourages bees, butterflies and moths and provides a rich wildlife habitat. An increasing number of lapwing are to be found on the in bye land at the northern end of the reserve, the open aspect of the fell and the abundance of insect life providing ideal habitat for these distinctive-looking sociable birds.
This reserve is in one of the most important areas for waders which return to the high moors for breeding from the coastal and mudflat areas, several species of which are in serious decline. In spring the reserve is home to curlew, golden plover, redshank and snipe. The grazing at Lintzgarth Fell is managed by the Trust to benefit the specialised wildlife in particular the waders and the black grouse. The number of male black grouse displaying each spring on a well-established lek at Lintzgarth continues to increase. Skylarks are abundant and in the spring the air is full of their song. This coupled with the bubbling calls of curlew and the high pitched whistling of golden plover makes the fell a truly enchanting place.
Latest From The Warden...Archive
Season works, taking advantage of a break in the weather to clear ditches
and install a new culvert.
2023-11-19
Water Vole survey, carried out on 14th May 2023 is now available for download on the Education and Research page.
(image ©️ Rachel McAloon)
2023-10-28
A Barn Owl survey, carried out on 28th June following reports of adults bringing food to the A-frame box in the Cleugh. The breeding box was inspected (under licence) and 5 sleeping barn owl chicks were present.
All five were developing well and were successfully fitted with BTO identification rings. These allow us to monitor the birds once fledged and to contribute data about breeding outcomes, survival rates and lifespan of Barn Owls to the British Trust for Ornithology.
There was evidence of food stored within the nest box, which is an excellent sign and reflects the abundance of vole/small mammal prey seen in the area this year. The nestlings were returned to their box before the parent birds returned from hunting.
2023-10-27
Somebody’s been busy :)
2023-09-01
2023-06-20
Standing proud - a good few Lapwing chicks about
and some Curlew on the way
2023-05-29
Good to see a pair of Grey Partridge last week, now Red-listed as a Bird of Concern in the UK, here’s one with it’s plumage echoing the landscape.
2023-05-11
Black Grouse performing in windy conditions - hope he found some admirers.
2023-04-19
Nice to see a pair of Redshank have turned-up.
2023-04-11
Oyster Catcher doing what comes naturally
Black Grouse on parade, and
the Golden Plover are here.
2023-04-09
Not the most common of sights - a Common Snipe on the roof of the Bothy.
2023-04-02
Fabulous day on Lintzgarth today, but so quiet with most creatures keeping their heads down in the still conditions.
However, five Golden Plover spotted and a healthy amount of frog spawn in the splashes right at the top.
2023-03-27
Some variations in the Lintzgarth frog population.
2022-09-12
Success - five fully-fledged Barn Owls on the wing.
2022-07-12
The Water Lilies are blooming!
2022-07-09
Lintzgart as we've not seen it before. We're going to have fun mapping and building our surveyed data on the fouundation of the recent geo-located drone images.
2022-06-18
Hiding in the grass is a Ruby Tiger Moth Phragmatobia fuliginosa. Not uncommon in heath and moorland, but not quite as colourful the further north it lives.
2022-06-17
Over the last two years the cotton grass was very poor, so it is heartening to see it back and in such quantity.
2022-05-24
The site took considerable storm damage recently, particularly in the plantation. George and John have done a great job clearing the damage including clearing the drain which was blocked. More still to be done.
The first of the rush cutting has been completed and on-site work now eases off now to keep the site quiet for nesting - apart from regular monitoring etc.
2022-04-22
7 lapwing now incubating up from two last week and first wheatear arrived on Monday.
Plenty of culrew still displaying, as well as quite a few snipe drumming.
2022-04-13