Calvert Jubilee, Bucks

Calvert Jubilee is always a good spot to visit in winter. There are large numbers of ducks on the lake and other interesting birds like little grebe and great crested grebe to look out for. You might be lucky enough to see the great crested grebes doing their courtship dance out on the water, mirroring each other's movements. 

You should also see large flocks of lapwing and might spot a bittern tucked away in the reeds. 

Letcombe Valley, Oxon

A lovely mix of chalk stream, woodland and chalk grassland creates a tranquil haven for wildlife and local people. Look out for winter and early spring flowers in the small remnants of ancient woodland here.

The Letcombe Brook is a rare habitat - there are very few chalk streams in Oxfordshire and only 161 UK-wide. If you're lucky, you may see the blue flash of a kingfisher darting past as you walk along the stream.

Snelsmore Common Country Park, Berks

On a cold winter's morning, Snelsmore Common is a great place for a walk with frost-covered heather and birch. There are plenty of paths to explore the heathland and woodland. Listen out for a wide variety of birds feeding in amongst the trees from long-tailed tits and goldcrests to great spotted woodpeckers and nuthatches.

Winter is an ideal time to take a closer look at the different mosses and liverworts growing there too, with great names including greater fork-moss to creeping fingerwort.

Sydlings Copse, Oxon

Tucked away to the north-east of Oxford and packed into a steep valley, Sydlings Copse is a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts. The diversity of this small nature reserve is quite staggering. Boasting ancient broadleaved woodland, limestone grasslands, reedbed, fen, a stream and rare Oxfordshire heathland, the reserve supports over 400 plant species. 

At this time of year, the woodland is coming alive with birdsong, and colour as flowers start poking through the woodland floor.

Thatcham Reedbeds, Berks

Thatcham Reedbeds is a short stroll from the Nature Discovery Centre, where you can fuel yourself with a hot drink and cake from the cafe. Walk down to the reedbeds close to dusk and look out for the starling murmuration. The reedbeds is one of the best places to watch this magical sight in our region. Have a preview in this video captured by one of our members of staff.

You can also spot plenty of other winter wildlife out on the lake including tufted duck, pochard and shoveler.

Upper Ray Meadows, Bucks

Gallows Bridge Farm, part of the vast Upper Ray Meadows nature reserve on the Bucks/Oxon border, is a great spot to visit during the winter months. The site attracts large numbers of ducks, including wigeon and teal, and waders such as lapwing and golden plover.

There is also lots of activity in the hedgerows where birds like goldcrest, bullfinch and siskin will come to feed. Look out for large flocks of redwing and fieldfare, too and keep an eye open for hunting raptors including kestrel and peregrine.

The seasonal hide is open at this time of year and has good views of the scrapes and pools in the main meadow where you can see plenty of different birds.

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