Thursday, 16 February 2012

All Weather Paths

Watermead Country Park

Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Thurmaston
County: 
Leicestershire
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Wildlife Description: 

Birds

Tufted duck, Coot, Mallard, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Pochard, Shoveler, Bullfinch, Common Gull, Crow, Dunlin, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Goosander, Lapwing, Shelduck, Tree Sparrow, Wigeon, Wren, Canada Goose, Moorhen

Butterflies and moths

Speckled wood, Small White, Large White, Gatekeeper, Cinnabar moth, Small Skipper, Ringlet, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma

Dragonflies and Damselflies

Brown Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly, Blue-tailed Damselfly, Banded demoiselle damselfly

Insects

Soldier Beetle, Green Bottle, Speckled Bush-Cricket,  

Other Vertibrates

Grass Snake, Grey Squirrel

 

Foal Hurst Wood

Facts
Size (Hectares): 
13
Classification: 
Local Nature Reserve,
Environment Type: 

Rural

Region: 
South East
Map Info
County: 
Kent
Grid Reference: 
TQ 660 441
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Information
Place Description: 

A great all year round walk. Gravelled paths. Beautiful for bluebells in the spring. Much coppicing work being done by volunteers at the moment.

Habitat: 
Ancient Woodland, now a nature reserve. Naturally occurring Wild Service Tree (Sorbus torminalis), mainly oak.
Wildlife Description: 

Foxes, Rabbits, Deer, Grass Snakes to name but a few.

Best Time to Visit: 

All year, but especially spring.

Rye Meads

Images
Additional Images: 

 

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Facts
Size (Hectares): 
34
Classification: 
SSSI, SPA
Region: 
South East
Site Managed By: 
The Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust and the RSPB.
Address: 

Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. SG12 8JS

Contact Information: 
Tel. 01992 708383rye.meads2@rspb.org.uk
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Hoddesdon
County: 
Hertfordshire
Grid Reference: 
TL 389103
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Place Description: 

This tranquil wetland reserve lies to the east of the River Lee in the Lee Valley. It is an area of ancient meadow which is seasonally flooded, and this, together with the rich soils and management of the site, has created a number of diverse habitats. The site attracts a vast number of bird species and many other forms of wildlife. The reserve is well-managed with a visitor's centre, signposted trails and excellent hide facilities. It specialises in environmental education and offers good facilities for schools.

Habitat: 

The reserve is a mosaic of different habitats including a patchwork of ancient flood meadows, ponds, streams and ditches. Other habitats include reedbeds, lagoons, marshy grasslands, woodland and tall fen vegetation.

Wildlife Description: 

The diverse birdlife includes water rail, bittern, reed buntings, green sandpipers and yellowhammers. The meadows attract waders, ducks, snipe, golden plover and teal. In summer, the breeding birds include common tern, lapwing, little ringed plover, redshank and several species of duck. Both species of whitethroats can be seen, and occasionally grasshopper warblers and yellow wagtails. The tall fen vegetation provides nesting sites for sedge and reed warblers, as well as numerous cuckoos. Water voles, water shrews and harvest mice are abundant, and otters have returned to breed. Other wildlife includes a rich variety of invertebrates, as well as frogs, toads, newts and grass snakes.

Best Time to Visit: 

Passage can be spectacular in autumn, with both county and national rarities occurring. Open 10.00 am to 5.00 pm (or dusk if earlier) daily, except Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Galloway Forest Park

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Facts
Size (Hectares): 
77,699
Region: 
Borders
Site Managed By: 
Forestry Commission Scotland
Contact Information: 
Lucy HadleyRecreation RangerTe: 01671 402 420
Official Website: 
Website
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Newton Stewart, New Galloway, Gatehouse of Fleet, and Dalmellington and Castle Douglas are the nearest towns or villages.
County: 
The park covers areas within Strathclyde and Dumfries and Galloway.
Grid Reference: 
NX428855
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Place Description: 

Galloway Forest Park is the largest forest park at over 300 square miles in area. and is sometimes know as the "Highlands of the Lowlands". There are Visitors Centres located within the forest at Clatteringshaws near New Galloway, Glen Trool and Kirroughtree near Newton Stewart.

Habitat: 

Natural forest, upland moorland, valleys with streams and lochs.

Wildlife Description: 

A wide variety of birds, mammals and wildplants can be found including, the Golden Eagle, Wild Goat, Red and Roe Deer, Red Squirrel, Badger, Stoat and Weasel.

Directions: 

Driving from the South - M6 to Carlisle, A75 to Newton Stewart signposted to Stranraer.

Best Time to Visit: 

All year round.

Blawthorn Moss

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Facts
Size (Hectares): 
109
Classification: 
Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
Environment Type: 

Bog

Region: 
West Lothian
Site Managed By: 
Scottish Natural Heritage
Contact Information: 
The Reserve ManagerSNHLaundry HouseDalkeith Country ParkDalkeith,Midlothian EH22 2NATel: 0131 654 2466.
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Blackridge
County: 
West Lothian
Grid Reference: 
NS885682
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Information
Place Description: 

Blawthorn bog is a wild bleak but interesting place where numerous variety of plant and wildlife live. The area has at one time had an attempt to drain it by digging drainage ditches but these have been left to fill in naturally and the bog has been restored to it's original state.There is a raised boardwalk and signposted paths to help the visitor.

Habitat: 

Raised bog formed by rain feeding the bog mosses and plants, which die and are squeezed together. This process is continued over thousands of years until an extremely thick layer of peat is formed and raised above the surrounding are.

Wildlife Description: 

Short Eared Owls hunt voles and mice on the bog during the day, this is the only British Owl to hunt during daylight hours while Dragon and Damselflies, newts, toads and frogs abound. Skylarks, Curlew, Plover and Waterfowl are found throughout the year. There are numerous wild plants to interest the botanist, including the sunflower which is common on the moss.

Directions: 

4 miles east of Armadale. Take junction 4 from the Edinburgh-Glasgow M8 motorway onto the A801 road, then head west for three miles on the A89 road until you reach Blackridge village.

Loch Garten, Abernethy

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Facts
Contact Information: 
Richard ThaxtonWardenRSPB Abernethy Forest Nature ReserveTel: 01479 831476
Official Website: 
Website
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Boat of Garten
County: 
Highlands
Grid Reference: 
NH952190
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Information
Place Description: 

Loch Garten visitors centre is a large building constructed from natural Scots Pine timber mainly form Abernethy Forest itself. The centre has viewing windows with high powered binoculars and telescopes available all year round. The reserve itself has excellent woodland walks, many suitable for wheelchair access. The trails are colour coded with descriptions of the walks signposted.

Habitat: 

Loch Garten is situated in Abernethy Forest surrounded by ancient Caledonian Pine forest with numerous pathways. Habitats include marshland, reedbeds, mountains, rivers and streams. The RSPB Osprey Centre is situated at the side of the loch and visitors can view live CCTV feeds of the nesting birds.

Wildlife Description: 

The birdlife visitors may see include Capercaillie, Scottish Crossbill, Crested Tit, Osprey, Buzzard, Goldeneye, Tree Pipit, Goosander, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher . Mammal species include Red Squirrel, Pine Martin, Otter, Mink, Red and Roe Deer, Dragon and Damselflies, newt frog and toads.

Directions: 

Rail: The nearest mainline railway station is Aviemore (10 miles/16 km). From Aviemore take the B9150/A95 and follow RSPB 'Ospreys' road signs. A steam railway runs from Aviemore to Boat of Garten (4 miles/6.4 km) April-October. Bus: The nearest bus stop is on the B970. The bus route is Service 34 from Aviemore to Grantown on Spey (ask for Raebreck junction). From here a dedicated footpath leads to the Osprey Centre (1.6 miles/2.5 km). Car: In Strathspey, from the outskirts of Aviemore and Grantown, follow RSPB 'Ospreys' roadsigns.

Best Time to Visit: 

Spring, Summer and Autumn. The Centre is closed during the Winter months, however the paths and trails are still open and can be used to view the many species of waterfowl on the loch.

Anston Stones Wood

Facts
Size (Hectares): 
43
Classification: 
Local Nature Reserve, SSSI
Environment Type: 
one of the finest remaining fragments of native woodland in northern England
Region: 
Yorkshire and the Humber
Site Owned By: 
Anston Parish Council
Site Managed By: 
managed in partnership with NE, DEFRA and Rotherham MBC
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Worksop, Notts; Rotherham, South Yorkshire
County: 
South Yorkshire
Grid Reference: 
SK 531 831
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Place Description: 
Anston Stones Wood is known to have 33 ancient woodland indicator plants. It is a good example of the nationally scarce Sessile Oak-Ash-lime woodland. Anston Stones Wood is an ancient woodland nestling on the steep slopes of the banks of the Anston Brook. These steep slopes has meant that the area has been unsuitable for cultivation, thus preserving the habitat.
Directions: 
Access is from Anston Recreation Ground off Ryton Road (also served by bus routes) to the northwest and from the A57 layby at the southeast (on the bus route from South Anston to Worksop).

Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve

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Facts
Size (Hectares): 
582
Environment Type: 

Tidal mudflats, saltmarsh, grassleand, sand dunes, scrub, woodland and estuary.

Region: 
East Lothian
Site Managed By: 
East Lothian Council
Contact Information: 
John Harrison (Reserve Warden)Tel: 01620 827 847email: jharrison@eastlothian.gov.uk
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Aberlady
County: 
East Lothian
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Place Description: 

Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve became Britain's first Local Nature Reserve in 1952. It is situated approximately 20 miles east of Edinburgh on Scotland's east coast. Dogs are not permitted on the reserve from April - July inclusive and must be kept on a lead at all other times of the year. Dusk and dawn are the best times to visit when, as well as the bird population Roe Deer can be spotted. There is a good footpath that will take the visitor around one and a half hours to walk around and it takes in the beach and surrounding mudflats and freshwate loch, Loch

Habitat: 

Aberlady Bay is a coastal estuary with saltmarhes, mudflats, sand dunes, wet grassland and a freshwater loch. There are areas of scrub and woodland surrounding the loch, which is home to a herd of Roe Deer.

Wildlife Description: 

Visitors to the bay can view a large selection of local and migratory birds feeding on the beach and mudflats, including; flocks of over 15,000 Pink Footed Geese arriving from inland farmland at dusk, while Shelduck, Eider, Redshank, Shag, Dunlin Skylark, Willow and Sedge Warblers and many more all breed here. Dragon and Damselflies are common around the reed beds on the loch while voles and shrews are also found along with their predators, Staots, Weasels, Fox and several species of bird of prey. Ospreys can be seen fishing in the bay.

Directions: 

There is a car park on a bend a half a mile east of Aberlady, on the A198 that gives access to the Nature Reserve.

Best Time to Visit: 

All year around but dusk and dawn are the best times of day.

Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve

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Facts
Environment Type: 

Wetlands

Region: 
Renfrewshire
Site Managed By: 
RSPB
Contact Information: 
RSPB Lochwinnoch ReserveLargs RoadLochwinnochRenfrewshirePA12 4JF
Official Website: 
Website
Map Info
Nearest Town: 
Lochwinnoch
County: 
Renfreshire
Grid Reference: 
NS358580
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Information
Place Description: 

The reserve is situated around two lochs, the Aird Meadow Loch and Castle Semple Loch with the RSPB Visitors Centre and viewing station situated between them. Around the lochs are large tracts of wetland and reedbeds. There are two nature trails with hides at the waters edge suitable for the photographer. Both trails are wheelchair friendly. The Reserve is open at all times, with the visitor centre open daily 10am-5pm (closed only on 25, 26 December and 1, 2 January). Entry is free for everyone to the visitor centre and shop and there is a small admission fee for hides and nature trails but both are free to members of the RSPB

Habitat: 

Lochwinnoch Nature Reserve is one of the few remaining natural wetlands in the West of Scotland. There are two lochs surrounded by wetland , marsh and reedbeds.

Wildlife Description: 

The wetlands are a regular feeding ground for Autmn and Winter wildfowl, where a variety of Geese, Swan and Duck can be viewed. Amongst the numerous wildlife species, visitors may spot the Grasshopper Warbler, Kingfisher, Sedge Warbler, Reed Bunting and Great Crested and Little Grebes. Butterflies, Dragon and Damselflies are just a few of the insects the visitor can expect to find while various species of mammal inhabit the surrounding landscape.

Directions: 

The reserve is easy to get to, being south-west of Glasgow, off the A737 Irvine road between Paisley and Largs. There is free car parking adjacent to the centre.

Best Time to Visit: 

All year round.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park

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Facts
Size (Hectares): 
186,479
Environment Type: 

Mountains, Lowland, Lochs and rivers

Map Info
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Place Description: 

This is a massive park covering a vast area and includes 20 Munro's, mountains over 3,000 feet in height and 19 Corbetts, mountains between 2500 and 3000ft. There are 22 lochs with numers other small lochans and streams and around 50 rivers and over 15,000 people live within it's boundaries.

Habitat: 

The Highland Boundary Fault runs across the park and defines the lowland area from the highland area. As a result the park has a wide range of habitats, from farmland and woodland in the south to moorland and mountainous forested areas to the north and to the west there are sea lochs and coastal areas rich in marine life.

Wildlife Description: 

The Park is rich in natural wildlife and the visitor can look out for species such as the Wildcat, Capercaillie, Blackcock, Osprey, Water Vole, Red Squirrel and Pine Martin and much more.

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