Dogsthorpe Star Pit, Nature reserve in Peterborough, United Kingdom
Dogsthorpe Star Pit is a nature reserve near Peterborough covering around 36 hectares of varied land. The site contains grassland, scrub, reedbeds, sedge, bare clay, and water pools that together support different types of plants and animals.
The site was used for clay extraction by the Star Brick Company in the early 1900s. After mining stopped, the land was gradually restored and became a protected nature reserve.
The reserve earned Site of Special Scientific Interest status in 1993, managed by the Wildlife Trust for conservation and public nature education.
The reserve can be reached by footpath from Whitepost Road, with free parking available along Hodney Road near Little Wood. Visit during warmer months to see the most wildlife activity in the pools and grassland areas.
The site is home to 64 species of water beetles, including four species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. These rare beetles are a key reason why the location received protected status.
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