Reserves and species

Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Moor Copse

A place of great character

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
64.50
Short Description: 
This diverse woodland wildlife treasure trove astride the River Pang is a haven of peace and beauty, renowned for its flowers, butterflies and moths.
Smartphone Description: 
Large swathes of woodland surround a patchwork of meadows and pastures with the River Pang meandering through. The floodplain woodlands provide homes to various species such as alder trees and clusters of yellow iris. The varying flowering times of different plants provide a spectrum of colour throughout the year, from the bright woodland and meadow flowers in spring to the vibrance of colour as the leaves turn in autumn.
Location
Address: 
5 miles west of
Town: 
Reading
County: 
Berkshire
Postcode: 
RG8 8EY
Grid ref: 
SU 634 738
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
On the A340, 0.25 miles south of Tidmarsh, turn into surfaced car park just north of the M4 bridge.
Walking information: 
Flat, soft ground after rain, can flood in winter; some cross slopes and coarse aggregates on paths, gates.
Grazing animals: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01628 829574
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Moor Copse
Species: 
Bluebell
Cuckooflower
Early Purple Orchid
Honeysuckle
Primrose
Purple-loosestrife
Spindle
Wild Cherry
Wood Anemone
Wood Spurge
Yellow Iris
Banded demoiselle
Brimstone
Brown hawker
Meadow Brown
Orange-tip
Ringlet
Silver-washed Fritillary
Speckled Wood
Common Carder Bee
Honey Bee
Red-tailed Bumblebee
White-tailed Bumblebee
Grass Snake
Bullfinch
Kingfisher
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Marsh tit
Mistle Thrush
Raven
Siskin
Song Thrush
Sparrowhawk
Skylark
Tawny Owl
Water Rail
Badger
Red Fox
Best time to visit
Start: 
January
End: 
December
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Millfield Wood

Valley views

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
7.50
Short Description: 
An unusually light and airy Chiltern beechwood with beautiful wild flowers and lovely views across Hughenden Valley.
Smartphone Description: 
Millfield Wood has a number of special wild flowers typical of an ancient woodland. Bluebells flourish in the spring, and although hard to find, the native lily-of-the-valley grows here. Listen out for the drumming of the great spotted woodpecker and distinctive call of the chiffchaff.
Location
Address: 
1.5 miles north of
Town: 
High Wycombe
County: 
Buckinghamshire
Postcode: 
HP14 4LA (Hughenden Manor car park)
Grid ref: 
SU 870 956
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park at Hughenden Manor car park, 0.5 miles from reserve; take bridleway east of the Manor on the A4128 for 0.25 miles.
Walking information: 
Steep slope; flat cross slope path, bumpy and sloping elsewhere, steps
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01442 826774
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Millfield Wood
Species: 
Bluebell
Whitebeam
Enchanter's Nightshade
Herb-Paris
Lily-of-the-valley
Wayfaring-tree
Wild Cherry
Wood Anemone
Wood Melick
Wood-sorrel
Wood Spurge
Yellow Archangel
Chiffchaff
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
November
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Long Grove Wood

Natural regeneration

Allowing nature to take its course is the key to managing this piece of the old mixed deciduous woodland. Trees are allowed to grow old, natural glades are created when trees blow over and dead wood is retained where possible for insects and fungi. 

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
1.50
Short Description: 
Woodland flowers were the unexpected beneficiaries when the great storm of October 1987 brought several trees crashing down at Long Grove Wood. New glades created the ideal conditions for beauties such as bluebells and yellow archangel.
Smartphone Description: 
Nature is left to do its work in Long Grove Wood nature reserve; trees grow old, dead wood is left for insects & fungi and trees blow over and create natural glades. Birds such as the great spotted woodpecker and tree creeper are found here and glades are the perfect location for beautiful flowers such as bluebell and yellow archangel.
Location
Address: 
Seer Green
Town: 
1.5 miles east of Beaconsfield
County: 
Buckinghamshire
Postcode: 
HP9 2XQ
Grid ref: 
SU 9626 9162
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
From the A40, take A355 north, turn right into Longbottom Lane, take the second left into Bayne Hill then the third left into Stable Lane; take a left into Farmers Way and park in the street
Walking information: 
Flat; soft when wet, few roots
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01442 826774
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Long Grove Wood
Species: 
Bluebell
Honeysuckle
Yellow Archangel
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Nuthatch
Song Thrush
Treecreeper
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
November
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Loddon Nature Reserve

Shallows and islands

Shoveler

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
13.50
Short Description: 
The Loddon Nature Reserve's lake and shallow fringes create ideal conditions for wintering birds, such as gadwall, tufted duck, pochard and snipe.
Smartphone Description: 
Loddon Nature Reserve is a large flooded gravel-pit with several islands and scrub margins. It has ideal conditions for wintering birds, with perfect feeding grounds created by the shallows. The plant life attracts a range of butterflies, dragonflies, and other aquatic insects, and on summer evenings bats can be seen darting over the lake, feeding on the insect swarms.
Location
Address: 
Twyford
Town: 
5 miles north-east of Reading
County: 
Berkshire
Postcode: 
RG10 9RR
Grid ref: 
SU 7845 7569
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Park in Twyford car park 250m from nature reserve; take High Street west from town centre for 200m to nature reserve entrance at the rear of the Waggon and Horses pub
Walking information: 
Flat; partly flooded in winter with muddy, short slopes; gate, boardwalk
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01628 829574
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Loddon Nature Reserve
Species: 
Purple-loosestrife
Yellow Iris
Blackcap
Common Tern
Coot
Cormorant
Gadwall
Great Crested Grebe
Grey Heron
Moorhen
Oystercatcher
Pochard
Shoveler
Teal
Tufted Duck
Whitethroat
Wigeon
Willow Warbler
Best time to visit
Start: 
December
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Little Linford Wood

A woodland reborn

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
42.50
Short Description: 
Experience a sense of timelessness in Little Linford Wood - an ever-changing wildlife haven set in a sea of arable fields.
Smartphone Description: 
Now recovering splendidly from the felling of a large number of trees, Little Linford Wood has an abundance of young woodland dense with both saplings and stump growth fighting for light and space. This is favoured by wildlife for cover and protection, with many birds and small mammals, including dormice.
Location
Address: 
4.5 miles north of
Town: 
Milton Keynes
County: 
Buckinghamshire
Postcode: 
MK16 8LU
Grid ref: 
SP 834 455
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
Picnic area
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
On the B526 north from Newport Pagnell, take road on left to Haversham. After 0.5 miles take private road on right (look for small badger sign on edge of track); the farm gate is usually open, but in the event of it being closed please park nearby. Drive slowly (10mph) on the track for 1 mile to surfaced car park which is open from dawn til dusk, 100 m past Dairy Farm.
Walking information: 
Flat; muddy when wet; bumpy in places; several short bridge; benches, gates on some entrances.
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01442 826774
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Little Linford Wood
Species: 
Bluebell
Common Spotted orchid
Cuckooflower
Herb-Paris
Primrose
Ragged-Robin
Wood-sorrel
Brimstone
Comma
Hornet
Purple Hairstreak
Ringlet
White Admiral
Blackcap
Bullfinch
Buzzard
Chaffinch
Kestrel
Nuthatch
Tawny Owl
Treecreeper
Willow Warbler
Woodcock
Hazel dormouse
Harvest Mouse
Red Fox
Stoat
Weasel
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
December
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Lashford Lane Fen

A tropical past

This small, but amazing diverse, wet, shallow valley is a great place to explore all year round. Its wide range of habitats includes reedbeds, limestone grassland, scrub, woodland and fen - a habitat seriously under threat in the UK. Through it all runs Sandford Brook, cutting through the limestone which was formed by layers of marine creatures living in the tropical sea that covered this land 160 million years ago.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
6.50
Short Description: 
Exciting wildlife lies hidden in this small limestone valley leading into fascinating fenland and reedbeds.
Smartphone Description: 
A small but incredibly diverse wet, shallow valley with a wide range of habitats including reedbed, limestone grassland, scrub, woodland and fen, with Sandford Brook running through. Cowslips and harebells flourish at different times of the year in the grassland while the rich valley fen is a whole different world with willowherb and meadowsweet. This is a particularly good site for reed warblers.
Location
Address: 
4 miles south-west of Oxford
Town: 
nr Abingdon
County: 
Oxfordshire
Postcode: 
OX13 6DY
Grid ref: 
SP 468 011
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Guide Dogs only
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
0.5 miles north of Dry Sandford village on Lashford Lane, unsurfaced car park 200m before Besselsleigh Road.
Walking information: 
Flat, wet ground; bridges and boardwalks. Not suitable for pushchairs.
Grazing animals: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01865 775476
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Lashford Lane Fen
Species: 
Dryad's Saddle
Cowslip
Fairy Flax
Great Willowherb
Harebell
Hemp-agrimony
Marsh-marigold
Meadowsweet
Primrose
Water Forget-me-not
Water Mint
Marbled White
Mayfly
Common Frog
Grass Snake
Reed Bunting
Reed Warbler
Water Rail
Water Vole
Best time to visit
Start: 
January
End: 
December
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Lamb's Pool

Wet habitats

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
2.50
Short Description: 
Herons and kingfishers hunt and fish at Lamb's Pool, and buzzards and song thrushes can be seen and heard.
Smartphone Description: 
Lamb's Pool reserve is made up of a man-made lake, hedges and pollarded willows. Reed sweet-grass and common reedmace flourish at its eastern marshes. A small island in the middle of the lake is popular with breeding species such as tufted duck and coot. Snipe, barn owl and lapwing have been glimpsed nearby. The reservoir is an ideal hunting ground for bats and species seen include pipistrelle, Daubenton's and noctule.
Location
Address: 
6 miles south-west of
Town: 
Banbury
County: 
Oxfordshire
Grid ref: 
SP 352 361
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
From Hook Norton, take road north towards Sibford Ferris; after 1.5 miles park on left at bottom of hill; cross stile, follow hedge on left for 0.25 miles
Walking information: 
Flat; some bumpy places, soft when wet; approach is flooded in winter; stile, gate
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01865 775476
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Lamb's Pool
Species: 
Knapweed or Black Knapweed
Marsh-marigold
Ragged-Robin
Salad Burnet
Water Mint
Yellow Iris
Coot
Tufted Duck
Yellowhammer
Daubenton's bat
Noctule Bat
Common Pipistrelle
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Kintbury Newt Ponds

Newt home

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
2.50
Short Description: 
Home to a breeding colony of the nationally-rare and protected great crested newt, the reserves provides ideal nesting conditions for a range of summer migratory birds. A precious local resource.
Smartphone Description: 
Made up of several ponds, reedbed, scrub and grassland, this reserve houses a breeding colony of the rare and protected great crested newt. There are ideal nesting conditions for a range of summer migratory birds including warblers. Several magnificent oaks at the southern end of the reserve are worth a visit and damp meadow plants such as creeping-Jenny are found under these trees.
Location
Address: 
5.5 miles west of
Town: 
Newbury
County: 
Berkshire
Postcode: 
RG17 9XR
Grid ref: 
SU 386 663
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
In Kintbury village, take Inkpen Road south towards Inkpen; take third left (The Green), park at the end of cul-de-sac; walk 20 m to reserve; please do not block access for residents.
Walking information: 
Flat; gentle slope, uneven ground in places; gates; kissing gates
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01628 829574
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Kintbury Newt Ponds
Species: 
Bluebell
Brooklime
Creeping Jenny
Primrose
Wild Angelica
Great Crested Newt
Palmate Newt
Smooth Newt
Grass Snake
Slow-worm
Chiffchaff
Song Thrush
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Inkpen Crocus Field

Crocus delight

Inkpen Crocus Field is a pasture bordered by gardens on the north and east sides and sloping down to a brook to the south-west, where it rises again beyond.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
3.00
Short Description: 
Hundreds of thousands of wild crocuses fill this Berkshire meadow each spring - but the delights don't stop there.
Smartphone Description: 
Spring and summer flowers adorn this meadow, most spectacularly from late February to early April when the field is awash with the purple and white of tens of thousands of crocus flowers. Many butterflies and birds also thrive here.
Location
Address: 
7 miles south-west of
Town: 
Newbury
County: 
Berkshire
Postcode: 
RG17 9PT
Grid ref: 
SU 370 641
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Guide Dogs only
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
In Inkpen village, park at recreation ground on Post Office Road; walk south 30 m; turn right into Pottery Lane; after 200 m take track on left between houses.
Walking information: 
Sloping; rough underfoot, wet patches in winter; kissing gate
Grazing animals: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01628 829574
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Inkpen Crocus Field
Species: 
Devil's-bit Scabious
Marsh-marigold
Oxeye Daisy
Pignut
Brimstone
Gatekeeper
Orange-tip
Ringlet
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:28

Inkpen Common

Inkpen Great Common

Heath milkwort

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
12.00
Short Description: 
A remnant of ancient heathland, a flower-filled wilderness fringed with woodland that rings with birdsong.
Smartphone Description: 
Split into two parts, the smaller south-western portion is now a woodland with natural regenerated oak and birch. The eastern part contains heather and gorse with a small valley and pond. A variety of heathland plants can be seen including gorse, dwarf gorse and pale dog-violet. In late spring and summer warblers can be heard serenading from the woodland fringes.
Location
Address: 
6 miles south-west of
Town: 
Newbury
County: 
Berkshire
Postcode: 
RG17 9QT
Grid ref: 
SU 382 643
Facilities
Visitor centre: 
No
Shop: 
No shop
Picnic Area: 
No
Opening hours: 
Open at all times
Toilets: 
No toilets
Disabled toilet: 
No disabled toilet
Baby changing facilities: 
No baby changing facilities
Dogs: 
Dogs must be on lead
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
3/4 mile east of Inkpen village at junction of Great Common Road and Heads Lane. Park on surfaced track opposite reserve; please take care not to obstruct access.
Walking information: 
Flat ground, mostly firm with some wetter areas; kissing gates
Grazing animals: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01628 829574
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Inkpen Common
Species: 
Fly Agaric
Bell Heather
Bog Asphodel
Cross-leaved Heath
Gorse
Heather
Meadow Thistle
Tormentil
Common Lizard
Grass Snake
Slow-worm
Goldfinch
Kestrel
Nuthatch
Song Thrush
Woodcock
Red Fox
Best time to visit
Start: 
January
End: 
December
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve