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Atkinson’s Warren Local Nature
Reserve - 33.2 Hectares
Scunthorpe
Atkinson’s Warren is a Local Nature Reserve with extensive areas of
grass, heath and wood. Habitats range from a rabbit grazed sward through rough
grassland, scrub, birch and oak woodland, as well as recently planted scots
pine.
The Warren contains a wide variety of habitats for animals and plants and
is very important for many species of mammals, birds, butterflies, moths,
and wild flowers. Hebridean sheep are grazing the warren today.
Ancient artefacts such as arrowheads and flint from the mesolithic through
to the neolithic period have been found on and around the site. Many of the
ancient tools and weapons were made from flint - and flint can often be found
in the soil heaps outside of rabbit burrows on the reserve. In the past, rabbit
warrens were large enclosed areas of land where rabbits were encouraged to
breed and multiply. On low nutrient land, rabbit meat and skins could show
more profit than farming. Walter Atkinson was employed throughout the 1900’s
to manage the warren for game birds. Remains of Walter Atkinson’s cottage
can still be seen on the reserve.
Local wildlife has adapted to the many housing and industrial developments
around the warren.
Directions
At the Warren Lodge, head up the hill on Ferry Road and car park is on
the left. Further information: www.northlincs.gov.uk & environment.team@northlincs.gov.uk
Key Species
Key species on this reserve are:
Green woodpecker
Sparrowhawk
Tawny owl
Gatekeeper & comma butterfly
Heath bedstraw
Common centaury
Harebell
Hare’s foot clover
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