Altitude: 230–235 m above sea level
Area: 30 ha
Material: Quaternary aeolian sand and river gravel

 

Intensive sand extraction has been taking place there since 2009. As a result of the mining there are water surface and littoral zone, gradual and steep sandy banks and exposed sandy areas with sparse vegetation. At present, one part of the sandpit continues to be mined and the other part is used as a recreational area, including for water skiing. The site has been reclaimed by decreasing banks’ steepness and planting trees.

 

Plants

Sand-loving species: Field Cudweed (Filago arvensis), Spring Vetch (Vicia lathyroides)

Wetland species:  Watercress (Nasturtium officinale), Spiny Water Nmph (Najas marina), Common Rush, Jointleaf Rush, Toad Rush (Juncus effusus, J. articulatus, J. bufonius), Euroasian Water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) 

 

Invertebrates

Bound to disturbed soil surfaces and light-loving pioneer woody plants: Lesser Purple Emperor (Apatura ilia), Dune Chafer (Anomala dubia), Perileptus areolatus, Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris), Oxythyrea funesta

Wetland species: Ischnura pumilio, Anax parthenope, Red-veined Darter (Sympetrum fonscolombii)

 

Vertebrates

Bound to sandy surfaces: Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis); European Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola), Sand Martin (Riparia riparia)

Aquatic: horGreat Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)

Combination of sandy and wetland habitats: European Common Toad (Bufo bufo); Grass Snake (Natrix natrix); Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

 

Photo caption:

nest of the Little Ringed Plover (Charadrius dubius)