Titchmarsh is part of the Thrapston Gravel Pits complex, which lies within the Upper Nene Valley gravel pits Site of Special Scientific Interest. The biggest lake is Aldwincle Lake, which provides a large area for overwintering birds, as well as isolated islands to encourage breeding. On one island we cut and burn the vegetation to improve the breeding habitat for terns and for wading birds such as oystercatcher. The smaller lake is the old duck decoy, now called Heronry Lake.

It is enclosed by marginal vegetation and home to large populations of grey herons, which breed noisily beginning in February. The Nene Way footpath is a good vantage point to see butterflies. Along the riverbanks, nettle beds are used as perches for huge numbers of banded demoiselles, while the floating vegetation in the river provides resting sites for the red-eyed damselfly. The larger dragonflies patrol sheltered sections of Harper’s Brook.