About the reserve

Rush Furlong is a fragment of the once extensive system of strip farming in the Isle of Axholme that has by chance survived. The nearby land is now mostly arable, but the original nature reserve; a small meadow grassland strip; has been managed only by hay-cutting for as long as can be traced. This regular, unchanging management and lack of disturbance, combined with a soil derived from the base-rich Keuper Marl, has resulted in a rich flora.

Over 60 species of flowering plants have been recorded, including yellow rattle, oxeye daisy, rough hawk's-beard, agrimony, meadow oat-grass and primrose. The speciality of the site is the uncommon green-winged orchid of which several thousand spikes are to be found in most years. Adder's-tongue also occurs.

The management aim is to continue the traditional practice of hay-cutting.

Additional parcels have been added to the south-east of the original reserve which include areas of developing willow and hawthorn scrub which are important refuges for farmland birds and invertebrates. Management of these areas will focus on developing a patchwork of open grassland and islands of scrub. There is not currently visitor access through this area but we hope that in future years a route will link with that established around the hay meadows.

The reserve lies to the east of the A161, the Isle of Axholme's main road, just north of Haxey. 

The Trust first acquired the small 0.5 hectare SSSI in 1978. Further acquisitions and leases have extended the reserve to 11.04 hectares. The location pdf shows the original SSSI area and the initial acquisitions. 

Nearest postcode DN9 2LH. Please note - postcodes are for the nearest registered address as we are unable to get postcodes for nature reserves. 

Location information

Rush Furlong map PDF

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