Glapthorn Cow Pastures

Location - Northwest of Oundle

Where to park - Along the track opposite the entrance to the reserve at TL00639026, please park respectfully and allow plenty of room for farm machinery to pass

Parking Charge - No

Notable species - The best site in the county to see and photograph the Black Hairstreak. Purple Hairstreaks, White Admirals and Silver-washed Fritillaries are also regularly recorded.

Managed by the Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambs and Northants, Glapthorn Cow Pastures is the premier site in Northamptonshire to see the elusive Black Hairstreak. They can be seen all over the site but the best place to get close up photos is the infamous “third ride”. To get there park up along the track opposite the reserve entrance. Please note that this track is part of a working farm so plenty of room needs to be left to ensure farm machinery and livestock can get by. Once parked cross the road and enter the reserve. Immediately start scanning the tops of the many blackthorns for Black Hairstreaks and make your way along the grassy ride in front of you keeping the roped barrier to your left. Go past the first and second rides (do make sure you explore these later) and then turn right at the third one. You will know you are in the right place if after 80 yards you come to a small clearing with some Dewberry bushes on the left. Black Hairstreaks readily come down to nectar on these and they can afford incredible views as they slowly spin around while feeding. If you venture further up the ride the bushes on the right hand corner at the ride crossroads can be very productive as well. Once finished here go and explore all the adjacent rides for more Black Hairstreaks and any other butterflies that you may see. It is quite a small site and it’s easy to cover the area at a gentle pace. Later in the year Glapthorn Cow Pastures is also a good site for Purple Hairstreak, White Admiral and Silver-washed Fritillary. It should also be mentioned that Glapthorn Cow Pastures is an important site for species other than butterflies, so please keep disturbance to a minimum at any time of year. The site often holds Nightingales and can have a magnificent spreads of orchids so be careful where you tread.

For more information about Glapthorn Cow Pastures please see the Wildlife Trust BCN’s website