Whisby Moor facts for kids
Whisby Moor is a small area of moorland located near the A46 road. You can find it west of North Hykeham, in the North Kesteven area of Lincolnshire, England.
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Where is Whisby Moor?
Whisby Moor is about 8 kilometers (5 miles) southwest of Lincoln city centre. The village of Whisby is less than 2 kilometers (1 mile) to the northwest. The Nottingham-Lincoln Line railway track runs right through the moor. The southern part of the moor, where the Natural World Centre is, belongs to the parish of Thorpe on the Hill.
Discover Whisby Nature Park
A big part of Whisby Moor is now Whisby Nature Park. This park used to be old sand and gravel pits. These pits were filled with water, creating special lakes called "mesotrophic lakes." These lakes are surrounded by wet willow trees and bushes.
The nature park was first set up in 1985. It officially opened its doors in 1989. The park stretches out on both sides of the Nottingham to Lincoln railway line. In 2002, it was officially named a Local Nature Reserve.
Amazing Animals at Whisby
Whisby Nature Park is a fantastic place for wildlife. You might see special Shetland cattle grazing here. The park is also home to many different kinds of birds. You can spot birds like wigeon, teal, tufted duck, pochard, and goldeneye. Look out for great crested grebes, mallards, and colourful kingfishers. There are special bird hides where you can watch them without disturbing them.
Whisby is especially famous for its large number of nightingales. These birds are known for their beautiful songs. The park is also home to a rare insect called the Hazel Pot Beetle. This tiny leaf beetle was released into the park in November 2000.
Wonderful Plants at Whisby
The park also has many interesting plants. You can find plants like Dactylorhiza praetermissa (a type of orchid) and Trifolium arvense. There's even a two-coloured version of Cytisus scoparius, which is also known as broom.
Visiting Whisby Nature Park
There is a visitor centre at Whisby Nature Park called the Natural World Centre. The North Kesteven District Council helps run this centre. The nature park often holds training courses, talks, and fun events for children.
Many unusual animals and plants have been seen at Whisby. For example, in 2018, many bird watchers came to see a rare black blue tit. Not all parts of the nature reserve are open to the public. Some areas are grazed by cattle and sheep. This helps smaller plants grow better. In 2017, a newspaper called The Guardian listed Whisby Nature Park as one of the best places in the UK for birdwatching. It was especially noted as a great spot to hear nightingales sing.
