NORTHUMBERLAND WILDLIFE TRUST
Nearest Town: Riding Mill
OS Map: NZ012612 (OS 50 000 Sheet 87)
The 1.8ha reserve hosts grassland and a small area of hazel coppice.
Location and access: The reserve is south of Riding Mill, on the banks of the Riding Mill Burn. Take the main A695 through Riding Mill and turn south up Millfield road, opposite the 'Wellington Hotel', then take the first right up Marchburn Lane. The reserve is at the far end of this lane. There is parking near the bridge, in the lay-by opposite Marchburn House.
The reserve includes old grassland, a small area of hazel coppice and the banks of Riding Mill Burn. There is also a small pond in the centre of the reserve. A number of old grassland indicator species are present including agrimony, black knapweed, cowslip, primrose, meadowsweet, great burnet, marsh woundwort and musk mallow. Great bellflower, yellow rattle and sweet cicely grow near the burn alongside a strip of hazel coppice, which has a good display of bluebells in spring. The small man-made pond is good for breeding amphibians. Common woodland birds are present in and around the site. The grassland is also good for butterflies, including meadow brown, small tortoiseshell, large white and small skipper. The field was acquired by the Trust, by deed of gift, from the owner, the late Mr Dudley Couves in 1984.