A WETLAND nature reserve has won national praise.

Nosterfield Nature Reserve, between Ripon and Bedale, is the subject of an article in the RSPB's quarterly Birds magazine.

The article focuses on the wildlife potential for conservation at former mineral sites.

Graham White, the RSPB's senior wetland ecologist, wrote: "Nosterfield Nature Reserve is a fine example of what we would like to see on a national scale, with restoration clearly focused on high-quality habitat restorations related to the landform.

"This wetland grassland site now supports an impressive range of species, notably breeding waders such as redshank.

"With about 80 pairs of lapwing and 15 pairs of redshank breeding, these are very high densities, particularly for the latter species.

"The redshank is not an easy bird to get conditions right for, however it is thriving at this site and a credit to the hard work and foresight of the site managers."

Sand and gravel extraction at Nosterfield started in the early Fifties and was finished on this site by the mid-Nineties.

It was designated as a site of importance to nature conservation by North Yorkshire County Council in 1993.

In 1997, the Lower Ure Conservation Trust was formed to turn the old quarry into a nature reserve. The reserve now covers 56 hectares of land and attracts more than 150 species of bird a year.

Alice Davies, the RSPB's minerals restoration potential officer, said: "Sites such as Nosterfield Nature Reserve clearly show that high-quality wildlife habitat can be created on former quarries.

"We need to talk more openly about the valuable role that the minerals industry can play in creating a more visionary landscape for the future.

"Beautiful places like Nosterfield show it can be done, helping to secure the future of vulnerable plants and animals, leaving a lasting legacy for generations."

On Friday and Saturday, three guided walks will be held around the wetlands area of the reserve organised by the trust, Hambleton District Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

To book, call 01765-602832.