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Watermead Country Park

Map Info

Nearest Town:

Thurmaston

County:

Leicestershire

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Information

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

Sulham Woods

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Facts

Size (Hectares):

74

Map Info

Nearest Town:

Reading

County:

Berkshire

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Place Description:

Forming part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Sulham Woods is a mixture of deciduous & coniferous woodland with arable fields with footpaths & meadows with a number of footpaths & bridleways throughout. Far reaching views of the Thames Valley & on a clear day to Didcot power station. Fantastic displays of bluebells in spring/early summer

Habitat:

Deciduous & coniferous woodland, copse, arable fields & meadows

Wildlife Description:

Fine mix of woodland birds, skylarks on arable fields & birds of prey including Red Kite. There is a healthy population of Roe deer.

Directions:

Car park on Sulham Hill, between Tidmarsh & Littleheath, Tilehurst, Reading.

Best Time to Visit:

All year

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.

Vane Farm Nature Reserve

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Facts

Site Managed By:

Scottish Natural History & RSPB

Address:

RSPB Vane Farm Nature Reserve Kinross KY13 7LX Tel:01577 862355

Contact Information:

The Reserve ManagerSNHThe PierKinrossKY13 8UFTel: 01577 864439

Map Info

Nearest Town:

Kinross

County:

Perth & Kinross

Grid Reference:

NT160990

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Place Description:

Vane Farm is part of the Loch Leven National Nature Reserve on the south shore of Loch Leven. The reserve has a Visitors Centre with five telescopes and binoculars, that can be hired in the shop. There are three hides at the lochside and three nature trails taking in the loch shore, wetlands and surrounding moorland and woods, though not really suitable for disabled visitors. Vane Farm Visitor Centre is open 10 am-5 pm daily, and the trails and hides are open 24 hours a day throughout the year (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and 2 January). Prices (2009): Adults £3, children 50p, concessions £2, family £6 and RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members are free.

Habitat:

Vane Farm Reserve consists of a variety of habitats on the shore of Loch Leven, from wetland, marsh, wet grassland, moorand and woodland, all supporting a wide variety of wildlife.

Wildlife Description:

A wide variety of wildfowl can be seen on and around the loch, including Tufted, Mallard, Shoveller, Redshank and Oystercatcher. Flock of up to 25,000 Pink Footed Geese can be seen in the Autumn feeding on the marshes around the loch. While Roe Deer, Fox, Stoat, Weasel and many other mammals can be spotted in and around the woolands.

Directions:

Car: The reserve is sign posted approximately two miles east of Junction 5 of the M90. Once on the slip road take the B9097 and drive for approximately two miles. The nature centre car park is on the south (right) side of the road. Bus: A limited bus service (the 204) runs to the reserve from Kinross (4 miles) on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Best Time to Visit:

All year round but Autumn and Winter for migratory birds.

Little Wittenham Nature Reserve

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Facts

Classification:

SSSI, AONB, SAM

Site Owned By:

Northmoor Trust

Site Managed By:

Northmoor Trust

Address:

Northmoor Trust Hill Farm Little Wittenham Abingdon Oxon OX14 4QZ

Official Website:

Website

Map Info

Nearest Town:

Wallingford

County:

Oxfordshire

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Place Description:

Little Wittenham Nature reserve is best known for the two hills that dominate the local landscape, Round Hill & Castle Hill which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Both give panoramic views over Oxfordshire. The reserve is approximately half woodland and half grassland which is grazed by cattle & sheep. There are also two large ponds and the River Thames forms part of the reserves boundaries. It is part of the North Wessex Downs

Habitat:

Grassland, Deciduous woodland, ponds

Wildlife Description:

The two large ponds and woodlands have been recognised due to the presence of the great crested newt, breeding dragonflies and other breeding amphibians. It is home to a wide variety of woodland birds & birds of prey including Red Kites & Goshawks.

Directions:

Signposted from the A4130 between Didcot & Wallingford. 5 miles south of Oxford

Best Time to Visit:

Busy at peak times - school holidays & bank holidays. Limited parking - car park can get full at peak times.

Loch of Strathbeg

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Facts

Size (Hectares):

2300

Classification:

Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)

Environment Type:

Inland freshwater dune loch.

Region:

Aberdeenshire

Site Owned By:

RSPB

Site Managed By:

RSPB

Contact Information:

RSPB Loch of StrathbegTel: 01346 532 017

Official Website:

Website

Map Info

Nearest Town:

Fraserburgh

County:

Aberdeenshire

Grid Reference:

NK055577

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Information

Place Description:

Loch of Strathbeg is located just north of the village of Crimond. There is a visitors centre, an Information Centre, hides, nature walks and guided walks available. There is also a car park, toilets (also disabled) and events put on, both for adults and especially for children.

Habitat:

Loch of Strathbeg is a shallow freshwater loch seperated from the sea by sand dunes. It is the largest dune slack pool in the U.K. The loch has saltmarsh, reedbeds, fen, woodland and fringing it.

Wildlife Description:

The loch is an important migration staging place for overwintering wildfowl and up to 30000 birds can be seen on and around the loch. It is famous for overwintering Whooper Swans but also has massive flocks of Pink Footed Geese, Barnacle and Greylag Geese. Pochard, Goldeneye, Eider, Sawbills and Snow Geese. There are breeding species such as Great Crested Grebes, Water Rail, Reed Buntings, Mallard Duck, Shelduck and Eider while both Sandwich and Common Terns nest on an artificial island. Mammals spotted on the reserve include the Badger, Otter and Roe Deer and Dragon and Damselflies are common during the summer months.

Directions:

Bus. The nearest bus stop is in the nearby village of Crimond, approximately 1 mile from the reserve, which is signposted from the village. Car: From the A90 in the village of Crimond, take the turn beside the Kirk, following the brown tourist sign to nature reserve. At the T-junction at the end of the road, turn left. After approximately 500m, turn right at the reserve entrance sign onto the entrance track and follow the track to the car park.

Best Time to Visit:

All year round.

Tentsmuir Point Nature Reserve

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Facts

Size (Hectares):

2500

Environment Type:

Coastal and forestry

Region:

Fife, Scotland.

Site Owned By:

Scottish Natural Heritage

Site Managed By:

Scottish Natural Heritage

Address:

SNH Reserve Manager, Scottish Natural Heritage Fetterdale Office Tentsmuir Forest, by Tayport Fife DD6 9PF Tel: 01382 553 704

Contact Information:

SNH Fife Area Office46 Crossgate, CuparFife KY15 5HS.Tel:01334 654 038

Map Info

Nearest Town:

Tayport

County:

Fife

Grid Reference:

NO485250

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Place Description:

Tentsmuir Point and Tay Estuary are an area of international importance for wintering waders and wildfowl who feed on the beaches and dunes, while the sandbanks are favourite places for Grey and Common Seals. The bordering forest has natural pathways and notice boards to assist the visitors in wildlife identification.

Habitat:

Estuary and coastal beach, mudflats and sand dunes bordered by forestry situated at the mouth of the River Tay.

Wildlife Description:

Visitors can spot Grey and Common Seal basking on the sandbanks while Bottle Nosed Dolphins can be seen in the estuary. Pink Footed Geese, Bar Tailed Godwits, Scoters, Eider, Arctic Tern and many more species can be found feeding on the mudflats. Further back from the sands and in and around the forest, Red Squirrel, Roe Deer, Bats, Butterflies and Moths, Staot and Weasel are spotted.

Directions:

Tentsmuir Point National Nature Reserve lies some 2.5 miles to the east of Tayport, or 1.5 miles north of the Forestry Commission car park, signposted Kinshaldy Beach,off the Tayport /Leuchars road (B945).

Best Time to Visit:

All year round. Car access is restricted to Kinshaldy where the Forestry Commission provides a car park and visitor facilities. There is a no restriction on pedestrian access but it is a long beach.

Forvie Nature Reserve

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Facts

Environment Type:

Sand dunes and coastal heath.

Region:

Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Site Owned By:

Scottish Natural Heritage

Site Managed By:

Scottish Natural Heritage

Address:

The Reserve Mananger SNH Little Collieston Croft Collieston Aberdeenshire AB41 8RU Tel: 01358 751 330

Map Info

Nearest Town:

Collieston

County:

Aberdeenshire

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Information

Place Description:

The reserve is situated 15 miles north of Aberdeen on the east coast of Scotland and is an excellent site for watching breeding and migratory wildfowl. There is a Visitors Centre with toilets and information boards.

Habitat:

One of the largest untouched dune systems and mudflats in the U.K. with cliffs, meadow and heathland.

Wildlife Description:

Over 5000 Eider ducks breed amongst the heather and long grasson the dunes during the summer months, while Oystercatchers, Curlew, Arctic, Common Tern and other wildfowl feed on the Ythan estuary mudflats for mussel, shrimp and othe sealife. The dunes, cliffs and heath above the cliffs porvide habitats for numerous wildflowers that attract butterflies, moths and other insects.

Directions:

By car: Twelve miles north of Aberdeen, through Newburgh off the A975 road. Bus: Aberdeen-Peterhead (via Cruden Bay) buses stop by request at Collieston crossroads, then walk to visitor centre (20 mins) or from Newburgh to the estuary (15 mins)

Best Time to Visit:

All year round.

Rum Nature Reserve

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Facts

Size (Hectares):

10000

Environment Type:

Island

Region:

ScottiScotland

Site Owned By:

Scottish Natural Heritage

Site Managed By:

Scottish Natural Heritage

Address:

Isle of Rum Nature Reserve Reserve Office (SNH) Isle of Rum By Mallaig Inverness-shire. PH43 4RR Tel: 01687 462 026

Map Info

Nearest Town:

Kinloch, Rum

County:

Inverness-shire

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Place Description:

Rum is an island of just ove 100 square kilometres situated off the West coast of Scotland that was bought by the Nature Conservancy Council (now known as Scottish Natural Heritage) in 1957. The island is a haven for a wide variety of birds and mammals. The Cuillans of Rum can be seen from all around the island and permission must be obtained from the SNH to climb them.

Habitat:

Coastal, cliffs, mountains, meadow, moorland and woodland. The last woods on the island were felled in 1796 and only scrub grew on the island. Scottish Natural Heritage is now trying to restore woodland to the island by planting over 1 million trees to date.

Wildlife Description:

Rum has one of the largest colonies of breeding Manx Shearwaters in the world. From March, around 60,000 pairs, one fifth of the world's populaton nest here in burrows on the upper slopes of the hills. The Sea-Eagle, which was reintroduced in 1975 now succesfully breeds here and Golden Eagle nest in the mountains. The Red Deer population at Kilmory on the North of the Island was filmed for Autumnwatch by the BBC. Surprisingly, the island is home to the largest worms in the U.K. This is thought to be due to lack of predators as there are no Badgers, Hedgehogs, moles or foxes on the island.

Directions:

Ferry: The Calmac Ferry (01687 462 403) departs from Mallaig. During the Summer months there are boat trips to Rum from Arisaig (01687 450 224).

Best Time to Visit:

All year round but ferry crossings are dependant on weather conditions.

Rye Meads

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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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Information

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.

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