Thistles and Ragwort attract migrant butterflies. These include the Red Admiral anxious to 'refuel' after the cross channel flight. The nectar also provides food for hover flies, many of which mimic bees or wasps as protection from predators. Hover flies can be distinguished from bees and wasps, as the former have only one pair of wings. In mid-summer, the Meadow Brown, whose caterpillars feed on grasses, is a familiar sight.
Ant hills are a feature of the fields.
Each hill takes years to build and is home to a large colony. The presence of ant hills indicate a long history of grazing, since ploughing or grass cutting by tractor would have destroyed them. The northern part of the reserve is approached via a tunnel under the road. Here you will discover two ponds surrounded by areas of scrub, fen vegetation and two grazed fields. This is a more sheltered area and is often best for seeing butterflies and dragon flies on windy days.