About the reserve

The Nature Discovery Centre is surrounded by a mosaic of different habitats with fantastic wildlife to see all year round. Wander along the paths beside the lake, visit the internationally important Thatcham Reedbeds nature reserve or explore some of the nearby woodland. There is a large network of footpaths, perfect for family days out or the more adventurous.

Ash dieback

A programme of ash dieback safety work is taking place at this site. Diseased ash trees can become very unstable and BBOWT is employing specialist contractors to fell or reduce diseased trees where they pose a risk to public safety. The work is being planned and timed to minimise the impact on wildlife. Healthy trees will be retained, and trees and shrubs will be allowed to naturally regenerate in the felled areas. To minimise the number of trees we need to remove and to ensure the safety of visitors, some paths or areas of the reserve will be closed.

To find out more, read our ash dieback FAQs.

Birds

During the autumn and winter, large groups of wintering wildfowl congregate on the lake, whilst the reedbeds and surrounding woodland and hedgerows host birds like fieldfare and redwing.

In spring and summer, purpose-built rafts attract breeding common terns. House martins, swallows and swifts are a common sight over the lake and surroundings.

Throughout the year, one of our volunteers surveys the species of bird found on site. The bird lists below show the variety of species that visit across the seasons. 

Nature Discovery Centre bird list 2023

Nature Discovery Centre bird list  2022

Nature Discovery Centre bird list 2021

Nature Discovery Centre bird list 2020

Our volunteer also leads regular walks around the reserve to help visitors learn about what they can see and hear during their visit and learn more about each species. 

See what's on

Plants

In summer there are glorious displays of purple loosestrife, yellow-flag iris, reeds and sedges on the floating island, the lake shore and in the reedbeds.

All year around look out for the willow and alder around the edge of the lake, and hawthorn, blackthorn, spindle and bullace in the hedgerows.

Invertebrates

A variety of moths and butterflies can be seen, including garden tiger, butterbur, waved black, holly blue, and gatekeeper. There are dragonflies and damselflies including beautiful and banded demoiselles, emperor and four-spotted chaser. A range of beetles such as bloody-nosed beetle and rhinoceros beetle have been recorded on site.

Thatcham Reedbeds

Visit the nearby Thatcham Reedbeds, one of the largest areas of inland reedbed in Southern England and home to some of the country's rarest reed specialists, including Desmoulin's snail.