Digby Corner
Parish: Digby
OS: 121 • GR: TF 088551 • Map ref: 94
0.36 hectares (0.89acres) • Management agreement 1992
Habitat type: Scrub
Location and Access
This small triangular piece of railway land is bounded by the Lincoln-Sleaford line, and is situated about 0.4 km (0.25 miles) east of Digby on the road to Walcott. The access gate is a short distance beyond the railway bridge, on the right side of the road.
Description and Management
Digby Corner is a little oasis in an arable farming area. It is situated on the line of the old road that was diverted when the railway bridge was constructed.
The soils are derived from the limestone on the most easterly projection of the Lincoln Edge. The calcareous soils support an interesting variety of wildflowers, including herb-Robert, cowslip, bird's-foot-trefoil, bladder campion, salad burnet, rue-leaved saxifrage, field madder and lady's bedstraw. Although mainly a grassy area, there are dense areas of scrub of hawthorn, privet, purging buckthorn, dog rose and bramble. In autumn plentiful berries and other fruits attract many birds. Breeding birds include lesser whitethroat, blackcap, linnet and yellowhammer.
The reserve is also good for butterflies, such as common blue, small skipper, orange tip, brimstone and ringlet.
