Wanlip Meadows covers 16.2 ha and was purchased by the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust in 2004. The site  was quarried for gravel during the 1990's, the pits then being filled with bricks and other 'inert' waste, with finer material laid over this. They were finally covered with top-soil and sown with grass. Not all of the site was dug, however, including a strip alongside the river. A number of the original tall hedges were retained. The scrape on the northern field attracts birds at all times of the year. Wildfowl such as teal are regular in winter. Large flocks of greylag and Canada geese are often present. It is the waders that are of most interest to visitors, perhaps, with species such as snipe, green sandpiper and redshank regularly seen. Wader numbers depend on the season and the amount of mud exposed around the edge of the pool. Uncommon species recorded so far include Temminck's stint and wood sandpiper. Large flocks of golden plover are sometimes present in winter. Grey herons are often present too. Reed bunting and reed warbler probably breed in the reedbeds developing alongside the river. Grass-snakes, toads and frogs have all been recorded on the reserve, along with a growing list of dragonfiles and butterflies. Many wetland plants have already colonised the large scrape. Amongst the more notable are grey club-rush, needle spike-rush and blue water-speedwell.