The Deepings Pits
by Bob Titman
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PBC Where to Watch Birds The Deepings Pits by Bob Titman |
| Sightings for past week: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
| Sightings for past month: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
| Sightings for past year: | All sightings | Excluding Common | Rare & Scarce |
List of species seen at this site
William Bowell's site devoted to Welland Bank Pits
The Deepings Pits comprise two old ballast pits which were dug for material for the construction of the railway which runs between them. They are The Mere and Dandridge's Pit. Both are private and very difficult to work. The Mere can be viewed from the track which runs alongside the River Welland where, especially in the spring, excellent views can be had of the breeding herons and cormorants. The woodland area alongside the track is also excellent for general woodland species with woodpeckers, treecreepers, tits, etc.
Dandridge's Pit is best viewed from the track at the railway crossing and through the trees alongside the B1166 (Station road). This pit holds large numbers of wildfowl throughout the winter and has attracted Black Terns and Osprey on occasions. The remaining pits are all relatively new and have been, or still are being, produced by the extraction of gravel. All these pits can be viewed from the Deeping High Bank along the River Welland.
A good variety of wildfowl can be found on these pits. Recent sightings have included Egyptian Goose, Scaup, Goldeneye and Shelduck, amonst others. The newer workings are also good for waders with Little Ringed Plovers, Ringed Plovers, Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers and Oystercatchers being regular. The site can be worked either by parking at the end of Eastgate, where the track alongside the Welland starts (map ref. TF172082), and walking along the river bank until you meet the B1166 road to Crowland. You then have to re-trace your steps. Or, if time is at a premium, do half the site from this parking spot, then drive round to the corner to where the B1166 meets the Deeping High Bank (map ref. TF187082) and work the newer pits from there.
Map of the area