Bowdown Woods, Berks

As the month progresses, spring flowers will bring touches of colour to this nature reserve. Look out for early butterflies on warmer days and listen out for a variety of birds singing from the trees. 

There are three areas of woodland at this nature reserve, Bowdown, Bomb Site and Baynes, each with their own character and short circular Wildlife Walk to explore them further.

To discover the countryside around Bowdown Woods why not try our 6-mile circular walk.

Access: 

• Baynes: steep slopes, uneven underfoot, long flight of steps and a boardwalk.
• Bomb Site: flat and surfaced, accessible for robust mobility scooters and robust wheelchairs.
• Bowdown: gentle slopes, soft after rain.

Bowdown Woods

CS Lewis Nature Reserve, Oxon

A tranquil woodland, CS Lewis Nature Reserve contains a large pond full of aquatic plants, frogs and toads that migrate to spawn here.

This nature reserve used to belong to celebrated Oxford author CS Lewis. It was said he enjoyed wandering here while writing his children's book series about Narnia which includes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. With the A40 nearby and surrounded by houses, it is a surprise that the reserve has kept its sense of stillness.

Access: Steep slopes, uneven in places, wet patches; gates

CS Lewis Nature Reserve

Dancersend with Pavis Woods, Bucks

Variety and history intertwine in this wonderfully diverse reserve which nestles within two sheltered valleys deep in the Chilterns. Dancersend was made a nature reserve in the 1940s in remembrance of Charles Rothschild, the founder of UK nature conservation. 

The woodlands are home to many birds. Listen out for the drumming of the great spotted woodpecker and the 'yaffle' of the green woodpecker. Tawny owls can be heard hooting in the trees and the 'pitchou' call of the marsh tit is commonly heard. 

This month, with spring in the air, there should be plenty of birdsong to hear as birds pair up ahead of the the breeding season, along with bursts of colour from woodland flowers starting to bloom.

Access: Variable, gentle slopes, bumpy in places; gates; benches.

Dancersend with Pavis Woods

Kintbury Newt Ponds, Berks

This little nature reserve in West Berkshire is home to all three species of newt found in the UK - smooth newts, palmate newts and great crested newts.

Have a look in the ponds and see if you can see newts, frogs and toads starting to lay their eggs. Frogs lay the familiar big masses of jelly-like spawn. Toads lay long strands of eggs and newts lay individual eggs that they fold a leaf around for protection.

Remember, great crested newts are a protected species so just look and leave them in peace to breed!

Access: Flat; gentle slope, uneven ground in places; gates; kissing gates

Kintbury Newt Ponds

Rushbeds Wood, Bucks

Rushbeds Wood is great for birdsong in spring. See how many different birds you can hear as they stake their claim for territories ahead of the breeding season.

Early spring flowers are starting to appear on the rides and will come into their own as the month progresses. Look out for moschatel, otherwise known as the 'townhall clock', or 'Good Friday plant'. The small, yellow-green flowers are arranged in a fascinating way, at right angles to one another, like the faces of a town clock.

On warm spring days you might also see early butterflies like brimstones and red admirals flying in the sunshine, searching for nectar to drink.

Access: Paths flat, soft after rain, some roots; kissing gates, bench. 1.5 mile circular Wildlife Walk.

Rushbeds Wood

Wells Farm, Oxon

Listen out for skylarks singing high above Wells Farm, their endless song pouring down from overhead. This working farm is run in harmony with wildlife and is home to lowland farmland birds like yellowhammer and grey partridge. Seed-bearing crops provide food and shelter for mixed flocks of finches in the colder months and wide grassy banks provide cover for spiders and insects.

The nature reserve is named after the numerous springs emerging on the valley side. Explore the site via the short, circular Wildlife Walk. 

Access: Gently sloping; soft in valley bottom, bridleway flat; kissing gates, boardwalk. Contact the Trust for disabled access information.

Wells Farm