Reserves and species

Posted by bbowt
2011-05-04 11:27

Calvert Jubilee

Water wildlife

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
22.00
Short Description: 
Calvert Jubilee is a haven for birdwatchers with ducks, gulls, kingfisher and bittern to see. Over the next 10 years both the High Speed 2 and East West Rail railways will affect Calvert Jubilee, because both projects will take land from the nature reserve. HS2 Ltd is currently (June 2017) carrying out investigative work on ground conditions in the north-eastern side of the reserve. Disruption from these investigation works will be limited and should not affect visitors’ enjoyment of the site at this stage.
Smartphone Description: 
Once a clay pit and rubbish tip, Calvert Jubilee is now a wildlife haven. The creation of three floating raft islands has enabled common terns and waterfowl to nest away from local foxes. Dense reedbeds have been planted at the northern end of the lake, and a small pond attracts frogs and other amphibians. Delicate wild orchids and other wild flowers support a range of butterflies including the grizzled skipper and green hairstreak.
Location
Address: 
6.5 miles east of
Town: 
Bicester
County: 
Buckinghamshire
Postcode: 
OX27 0BG
Grid ref: 
SP 682 252
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: 
Leave Bicester on the A41(T) towards Aylesbury, turn left and go north through Edgcott. Go over the crossroads between Charndon and Calvert and park in the small car park on the right opposite Greatmoor Sailing club, or on the opposite side of the road to the reserve.
Walking information: 
Flat; mostly bumpy but there is a flat surfaced path leading to the hide; gate, steps, bridges
Grazing animals: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01442 826774
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Calvert Jubilee
Species: 
Bee Orchid
Centaury
Cowslip
Pepper Saxifrage
Black hairstreak
Brown Hairstreak
Green Hairstreak
Grizzled skipper
Marbled White
Purple Hairstreak
White-letter Hairstreak
Bittern
Blackcap
Chiffchaff
Common Tern
Goldeneye
Goosander
Kingfisher
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Mallard
Nightingale
Pochard
Tufted Duck
Turtle Dove
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 11:27

Bray Pit

Water wildlife

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
2.00
Short Description: 
This nature reserve is no longer managed by BBOWT. Birds, insects and bats fly above wonderful wild flowers at Bray Pit.
Smartphone Description: 
Bray Pit is a small flooded gravel pit surrounded by a strip of woodland, a mature hedge and a wide grassy bank. It has a large number of wild flowers, and the plants here have attracted over 20 species of butterflies, as well as hoards of dragonflies and damselflies. This nature reserve hosts both aquatic and woodland birds, and bats hunt over the open water at dusk and dawn.
Location
Address: 
2 miles south-east of
Town: 
Maidenhead
County: 
Berkshire
Postcode: 
SL6 2AZ
Grid ref: 
SU 905 787
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 A308 heading south from Maidenhead, take left into Monkey Island Lane, turn left after Bray Marina onto water sports lake and park in car park 0.25 miles from reserve
Walking information: 
Flat overall; unmodified paths, slight cross slope and uneven in places
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01628 829574
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Bray Pit
Species: 
Knapweed or Black Knapweed
Oxeye Daisy
Wild Carrot
Yellow-rattle
Orange-tip
Common Carder Bee
Leaf-cutter Bee
Red Mason Bee
Red-tailed Bumblebee
White-tailed Bumblebee
Common Tern
Coot
Great Crested Grebe
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Grey Heron
House Martin
Kingfisher
Moorhen
Swallow
Swift
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 11:27

Bowdown Woods

A living landscape

Nuthatch

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
54.50
Short Description: 
Mysterious hidden valleys, sunny glades and patches of heathland, a natural playground for you to explore all year round.
Smartphone Description: 
Bowdown Woods is a great place to enjoy wildlife throughout the year, with ancient woodland, heathland, butterfly glades, streams and ponds. Stretching from the vast heathland at Greenham Common down to the River Kennet, this reserve forms part of the West Berkshire Living Landscape, a Willdife Trust project to create space for wildlife and people together.
Location
Address: 
Bowdown Woods
Town: 
2 1/2 miles south-east of Newbury
County: 
Berkshire
Postcode: 
RG19 8DB
Grid ref: 
SU507654
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
Access info: 
Bomb Site flat and surfaced - good for less mobile visitors
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Two carparks for different parts of the reserve can be accessed from Bury's Bank Road as you head east from Greenham. For the Bomb Site car park, go straight over the small roundabout for the Greenham control tower car park, cross a cattle grid and then take the next track to the left. For Baynes continue another mile on Bury's Bank Road, then take track to left signed 'The Old Thatched Lodge.
Walking information: 
Variable; Bomb Site flat and surfaced; Bowdown gentle slopes, soft after rain; Baynes steep slopes, uneven underfoot, long flight of steps
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: 
Bowdown Woods
Species: 
Fly Agaric
Bluebell
Early Purple Orchid
Foxglove
Gorse
Heather
Herb-Paris
Marsh-marigold
Opposite-leaved Golden-Saxifrage
Primrose
Yellow Archangel
Brown Argus
Silver-washed Fritillary
Small Copper
White Admiral
Common Frog
Adder
Common Lizard
Grass Snake
Slow-worm
Grayling
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Green Woodpecker
Nuthatch
Song Thrush
Sparrowhawk
Spotted Flycatcher
Woodcock
Brown Long-eared Bat
Hazel dormouse
Brown Long-eared Bat
Common Pipistrelle
Roe Deer
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 11:27

Blenheim Farm

Community nature reserve

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
0.50
Short Description: 
Just outside Charlbury, Blenheim Farm is a peaceful haven, surrounded by hedgerows and scrubby woodland, delightful for walking and studying. The wooded areas provide perfect conditions for a variety of songbirds, and the meadow is full of picturesque grasses and flowers.
Smartphone Description: 
Just outside Chalbury, Blenheim Farm is a Community Nature Reserve, where local volunteers help BBOWT look after the meadow. It is a peaceful haven surrounded by hedgerows and scrubby woodland, delightful for walking and studying. The wooded areas provide perfect conditions for a variety of songbirds, and the meadow is full of picturesque grasses and flowers, including cowslips and lady's bedstraw.
Location
Address: 
0.5 miles east of
Town: 
Charlbury
County: 
Oxfordshire
Postcode: 
OX7 3TL
Grid ref: 
SP 364 194
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 lay-by on B4022 at bottom of hill in Charlbury, take footpath beside Blenheim Farm House for 1/2 mile.
Walking information: 
Gentle slope, unmodified path; kissing gates, gap - 0.4m
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01865 775476
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Blenheim Farm
Species: 
Knapweed or Black Knapweed
Cowslip
Crab Apple
Lady's Bedstraw
Ragged-Robin
Wild Marjoram
Common Blue
Orange-tip
Common Frog
Common Toad
Smooth Newt
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 11:27

Bernwood Meadows

Ancient meadows

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
7.50
Short Description: 
Traditional hay meadows from yesteryear, brimming with wild flowers and insects including green-winged orchids and forester moths.
Smartphone Description: 
Bernwood Meadows are a rare survival from yesteryear - traditional hay meadows brimming with wild flowers and insects. From April to July a succession of wild flowers bring all colours of the spectrum to this reserve. The uncommon green-winged orchid flourishes here, and these meadows are famous for their butterflies, including the rare black hairstreak.
Location
Address: 
7 miles north-east of Oxford, 1 mile south of
Town: 
Horton-cum-Studley
County: 
Buckinghamshire
Postcode: 
OX33 1BJ
Grid ref: 
SP 606 111
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: 
Surfaced car park on the Stanton St John to Oakley road, half mile south-west of Bernwood Forest main entrance
Walking information: 
Flat, some bumpy ground, soft after rain; kissing gates
Grazing animals: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01442 826774
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Bernwood Meadows by Peter Creed
Species: 
Adder's-tongue Fern
Knapweed or Black Knapweed
Common Spotted orchid
Cowslip
Cuckooflower
Green-winged Orchid
Lady's Bedstraw
Oxeye Daisy
Yellow-rattle
Black hairstreak
Brimstone
Brown Hairstreak
Common Blue
Gatekeeper
Grizzled skipper
Marbled White
Meadow Brown
Orange-tip
Small Copper
Blackcap
Kestrel
Brown Hare
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 11:27

Avery's Pightle

Ancient meadow

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
1.50
Short Description: 
Avery's Pightle is one of Berkshire's few remaining unspoiled meadows. It is rich in insect life and nesting birds, and 137 species of plants have been recorded here.
Smartphone Description: 
Avery's Pightle is one of Berkshire's few remaining unspoiled meadows. Ancient ridge and furrow can still be seen, and 137 species of plants have been recorded here. It is rich in insect life, and the hedges prove perfect nesting sites for yellowhammers and many sprightly little warblers. The area near the stream has a colony of broadleaved helleborines.
Location
Address: 
3 miles south-west of
Town: 
Newbury
County: 
Berkshire
Postcode: 
RG20 0JY
Grid ref: 
SU 435 651
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: 
Park on soft verge on Church Lane, 0.5 miles south of Enbourne
Walking information: 
Flat overall; uneven underfoot; ground soft after rain; 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: 
Avery's Pightle
Species: 
Adder's-tongue Fern
Broad-leaved Helleborine
Cuckooflower
Pepper Saxifrage
Green-veined White
Gatekeeper
Meadow Brown
Orange-tip
Ringlet
Yellowhammer
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 11:27

Aston Clinton Ragpits

A remarkable place

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
2.50
Short Description: 
A wonderful wildlife experience of chalkland flowers including greater butterfly-orchids and thousands of fragrant orchids.
Smartphone Description: 
This remarkable nature reserve, boasting 8 species of orchid and 25 species of butterfly, is tucked away on the edge of Wendover Woods. An old chalkpit, Aston Clinton Ragpits is now home to a wonderful variety of wild flowers, insects and other animals. The end of June sees a magnificent display of orchids, including the great butterfly-orchid and thousands of fragrant orchids perfuming the air. Keep an eye out in the sunshine for slow-worms and basking grass snakes.
Location
Address: 
4 1/4 miles south-east of
Town: 
Aylesbury
County: 
Buckinghamshire
Postcode: 
HP22 5NJ
Grid ref: 
SP 888 107
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 south of Aston Clinton. Just south-east of B489/B4009 junction. Entrance 50m on left on the unclassified road to St Leonards, park on hard verge.
Walking information: 
There is a network of smaller paths that visitors are free to explore. Short, steep slopes; some loose stone; steps. Please keep to the paths to avoid trampling the rare wild flowers.
Grazing animals: 
Yes
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01442 826774
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Species: 
Autumn Gentian
Cowslip
Fragrant Orchid
Greater Butterfly Orchid
Guelder-rose
Horseshoe vetch
Pyramidal orchid
Brimstone
Chalkhill blue
Marbled White
Peacock
Red Admiral
Small Tortoiseshell
Grass Snake
Slow-worm
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 11:27

Asham Meads

Ancient meadows

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
23.00
Short Description: 
A lovely expanse of grassland, Asham Meads harbours rare communities of national and local botanical gems, including maroon-flowered great burnet, meadow fox-tail grass and tubular water-dropwort.
Smartphone Description: 
A lovely expanse of grassland and wildflower meadows, Asham Meads harbours rare communities of national and local botanical gems, including maroon-flowered great burnet, meadow fox-tail grass and tubular water-dropwort. It is made up of three damp meadows (Upper & Lower Marsh and Rowbottom), an oak plantation, pond, hedges and scrub. From May to June, the grass is full of green-winged orchids.
Location
Address: 
5 miles south of
Town: 
Bicester
County: 
Oxfordshire
Postcode: 
OX5 2RF (NB: this is the postcode of the nearby farm)
Grid ref: 
SP 590 143
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 Boarstall to Murcott road, just after bridge over M40 continue west towards Murcott for 2 miles and take left turn to Whitecross Green Farm. Open the gate and continue through farmyard, closing the gate behind you, and take left turn over sleeper bridge into the unsurfaced car park just before RSPB Otmoor reserve.
Walking information: 
Ridge and furrow, uneven underfoot and soft when wet; kissing gates. No access to Upper Marsh
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: 
Asham Meads
Species: 
Adder's-tongue Fern
Cuckooflower
Great Burnet
Green-winged Orchid
Lady's Bedstraw
Pepper Saxifrage
Ragged-Robin
Saw-wort
Sweet Vernal-grass
Tubular water-dropwort
Yellow-rattle
Black hairstreak
Brimstone
Brown Hairstreak
Common Blue
Marbled White
Meadow Brown
Orange-tip
Ringlet
Small Copper
Blackcap
Curlew
Skylark
Yellowhammer
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 11:27

Ardley Wood Quarry

Historic site

Reserve details
Trust: 
Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Trust Website: 
http://www.bbowt.org.uk
Size: 
11.00
Short Description: 
Ardley Wood Quarry is a natural treasure trove in spring and summer with geological and medieval earthworks. Warm and sheltered, the site is especially good for butterflies, and has thriving colonies of grizzled skippers, dingy skippers and green hairstreaks.
Smartphone Description: 
Ardley Wood Quarry is a natural treasure trove in spring and summer with geological and medieval earthworks. Warm and sheltered, the site is especially good for butterflies, and has thriving colonies of grizzled skippers, dingy skippers and green hairstreaks.
Location
Address: 
4 miles north-west of
Town: 
Bicester
County: 
Oxfordshire
Postcode: 
OX27 7NU
Grid ref: 
SP 534 274
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: 
Take first left on road from Ardley to Somerton, continue past the cottages and park on the left just before the railway bridge, on hard verge.
Walking information: 
There is a network of small paths that visitors are free to explore, taking care with the undulating terrain. Undulating, mostly firm and flat; steep embankment to south; kissing gates.
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT)
Reserve phone number: 
01865 775476
Reserve email address: 
info@bbowt.org.uk
Photos
Photo: 
Ardley Quarry
Species: 
Autumn Gentian
Bee Orchid
Bugle
Common Spotted orchid
Cowslip
Primrose
Water Mint
Wild liquorice
Brown Argus
Comma
Common Blue
Dingy skipper
Gatekeeper
Green Hairstreak
Grizzled skipper
Meadow Brown
Small Heath
Common Frog
Great Crested Newt
Common Lizard
Grass Snake
Bullfinch
Chiffchaff
Long-tailed Tit
Willow Warbler
Best time to visit
Start: 
March
End: 
August
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve
Posted by teesvalley
2011-05-03 14:20

Hummersea

A stunning stretch of the Cleveland coast, just to the north of Loftus. The reserve includes a wide swathe of coastal slope, rich in wildflowers such as fragrant and pyramidal orchids, spiny restharrow and grass of Parnassus. The reserve includes high cliff faces which fill with nesting seabirds in spring and summer, and a small shingle beach which can be accessed by several flights of steep wooden steps.

Reserve details
Trust: 
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
Size: 
20.00
Short Description: 
A small beach, cliffs and coastal slopes
Smartphone Description: 
A stunning stretch of the Cleveland coast, just to the north of Loftus. The reserve includes a wide swathe of coastal slope, rich in wildflowers such as fragrant and pyramidal orchids, spiny restharrow and grass of Parnassus. The reserve includes high cliff faces which fill with nesting seabirds in spring and summer, and a small shingle beach which can be accessed by several flights of steep wooden steps.
Location
Address: 
Hummersea
Town: 
East Cleveland
County: 
Tees Valley
Postcode: 
TS13 4HG
Grid ref: 
NZ 726 198
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: 
Yes
Access info: 
Steps to the beach are steep and can be damaged in rough weather. Contact the Trust for disabled access information
Parking: 
Yes
Parking info: 
Nearest car park 15 minute walk, in Skinningrove
Walking information: 
Steps to the beach are steep and can be damaged in rough weather
Grazing animals: 
no
Contact details
Reserve manager: 
Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
Reserve phone number: 
01287 636382
Reserve email address: 
info@teeswildlife.org
Reserver deep link: 
http://teeswildlife.org/new/hummersea
Photos
Photo: 
Hummersea
Admission
Admission fee?: 
No
Admission amount: 
no
Location type: 
Wildlife or nature reserve