>> Habitat
The reserve is owned and managed by the Environment Agency. There has been extensive work at this location over the last few years to improve its suitability to birds and the Hull Valley Wildlife Group have had considerable input into this project.

The reserve consists of 3 ponds, open areas of scrapes and gravel and vegetated embankments. It lies 4km to the east of Watton village and sits between Watton Carrs and Barmston Drain. The reserve (Formally know as Watton Borrow Pits) was created as part of the River Hull Comprehensive Flood Alleviation Scheme carried out in the late 1980`s and early 1990`s. Clay extracted from the site was used to build the flood embankments on the River Hull. The ponds have since been managed primarily for wildlife though they are also used as stock holding ponds for the Environment Agencies Fisheries Section.

>> Species
The site is most important to breeding Lapwing and Little Ringed Plover. It is also possible that Oystercatcher have tried to breed but unsuccessfully. There is also an artificial bank that holds 20 nesting holes which are occupied by breeding Sand Martins. Great Crested Grebe and a pair of Canada Geese usually breed on the island with varying success. Owl nest boxes have been erected around the site and these have been successful in attracting breeding Barn Owls. During the migration periods there is a possibility of seeing Bar Tailed Godwit, Turnstone and Knot around the waters edge. During the winter the reserve will hold many species of wildfowl. Smew are usually present in varying numbers, however there is much frequent interchange between sites in East Yorkshire.