Yoesden nature reserve by Jacqui Titcombe
Seasonal spectacles
Something to explore every season
Visit one of our nature reserves, and experience the wild wonder of our world.
With more than 80 nature reserves, the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust can offer something for everyone. Go for a long walk through dappled woodlands, revel in gorgeous displays of spring flowers, catch a glimpse of rare birds and butterflies, or enjoy a family day out.
Winter
On a crisp winter's day, wrap up warm and head to a Wildlife Trust nature reserve. Some of our wetland sites are host to impressive numbers of overwintering birds and wildfowl.
Overwintering birds and wildfowl
Teal by Margaret Holland
- Loddon Nature Reserve, Berks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/loddon-nature-reserve)
- College Lake, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/college-lake)
- Upper Ray Meadows, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/upper-ray-meadows)
- Weston Turville Reservoir, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/weston-turville-reservoir)
- Chimney Meadows, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/chimney-meadows)
Winter wonderlands
Greenham Common by Adrian Wallington
- Finemere Wood, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/finemere-wood)
- Little Linford Wood, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/little-linford-wood)
- Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/dry-sandford-pit)
- Warburg Nature Reserve, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/warburg-nature-reserve)
Spring
After a long, dark winter, celebrate the arrival of spring with a walk through a Trust woodland to enjoy the spring flowers such as bluebells and wood anemones, accompanied by birdsong.
Best bluebell woods
Springtime bluebells at Finemere Wood. Photo by Tim Read
- Bowdown Wood, Berks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/bowdown-woods)
- Moor Copse, Berks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/moor-copse)
- Dancersend, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/dancersend-pavis-woods)
- Finemere Wood, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/finemere-wood)
- Rushbeds Wood, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/rushbeds-wood)
- Foxholes, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/foxholes)
- Sydlings Copse, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/sydlings-copse)
- Warburg Nature Reserve, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/warburg-nature-reserve)
Spring birdsong
Nightingale by Amy Lewis
- Moor Copse, Berks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/moor-copse)
- Finemere Wood, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/finemere-wood)
- Foxholes, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/foxholes)
- Warburg Nature Reserve, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/warburg-nature-reserve)
Other spring spectacles
Iffley Meadows by Michael Brown
- Spring crocuses at Inkpen Crocus Field, Berks (Feb-Mar) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/inkpen-crocus-field)
- Thousands of snake's-head fritillaries at Iffley Meadows, Oxon (late April) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/iffley-meadows)
- Cowslips at Chimney Meadows, Oxon (late April-May) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/chimney-meadows)
- Cowslips at Oxey Mead, Oxon (late April-May) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/oxey-mead)
- Cowslips at Warburg Nature Reserve, Oxon (late April-May) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/warburg-nature-reserve)
Summer
What better way to enjoy a summer's day than in an ancient meadow full of wild flowers and shimmering butterflies, with a soundtrack of crickets and grasshoppers.
Best wildflower meadows
Bernwood Meadows by Tim Read
- Moor Copse, Berks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/moor-copse)
- Bernwood Meadows, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/bernwood-meadows)
- Finemere Wood, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/finemere-wood)
- Chimney Meadows, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/chimney-meadows)
- Hartslock, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/hartslock)
- Sydlings Copse, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/sydlings-copse)
Best places to see orchids
Aston Clinton Ragpits by Phil Townsend
- Green-winged orchids at Bernwood Meadows, Bucks (May) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/bernwood-meadows)
- Monkey and lady orchids at Hartslock, Oxon (early June) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/hartslock)
- Military orchids at Homefield Wood, Bucks (early June) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/homefield-wood)
- Eight species of orchid at Aston Clinton Ragpits, Bucks (June) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/aston-clinton-ragpits)
- Impressive display at Grangelands and The Rifle Range, Bucks (June) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/grangelands-and-rifle-range)
- Autumn lady's-tresses at Greenham Common, Berks (August) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/greenham-and-crookham-commons)
Other summer spectacles
Golden-ringed dragonfly by Andy Fairbairn
- Cornfield flowers at College Lake, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/college-lake)
- Dragonflies and damselflies at Decoy Heath, Berks (July and August) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/decoy-heath)
- Dragonflies and damselflies at Wildmoor Heath, Berks (July and August) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/wildmoor-heath)
- Dragonflies and damselflies at Dry Sandford Pit, Oxon (July and August) (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/dry-sandford-pit)
Autumn
You will find some of the most stunning displays of autumn colour on Trust nature reserves. Look more closely and you will also see hundreds of varieties of fascinating fungi from magpie inkcap to King Alfred's cakes.
Woodland walks full of seasonal colour
Warburg Nature Reserve by Louise Print-Lyons
- Bowdown Woods, Berks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/bowdown-woods)
- Dancersend with Pavis Woods, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/dancersend-pavis-woods)
- Finemere Wood, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/finemere-wood)
- Rushbeds Wood, Bucks (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/rushbeds-wood)
- Foxholes, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/foxholes)
- Sydlings Copse, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/sydlings-copse)
- Warburg Nature Reserve, Oxon (https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/warburg-nature-reserve)
Fascinating fungi
Fly agaric by Peter Creed
All the woodlands listed above are great for finding fungi, plus the nature reserves below. Look out for our seasonal fungus forays, where you can learn all about the different species of fungi. See our Events page for more information.
Springtime bluebells at Finemere Wood. Photo by Tim Read
Nightingale by Amy Lewis
Iffley Meadows by Michael Brown
Bernwood Meadows by Tim Read
Aston Clinton Ragpits by Phil Townsend
Golden-ringed dragonfly by Andy Fairbairn
Warburg Nature Reserve by Louise Print-Lyons
Fly agaric by Peter Creed
Teal by Margaret Holland
Greenham Common by Adrian Wallington
Read our latest blogs about seasonal wildlife and reserves to visit
Where to go in December
With nearly 90 nature reserves across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to choose from, which are the best to visit this month…
Where to go in November
With nearly 90 nature reserves to choose from in our three counties, which are the best to visit this month?
Discover autumn…
Where to go in October
With nearly 90 nature reserves across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire to choose from, which are the best to visit this month…
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Tune in Tuesdays - Well-being walks at College Lake (January-March 2025)
College Lake,
Tring, Buckinghamshire
Teen Rangers - Woolley Firs Maidenhead, December - February Term
Young Rangers - Woolley Firs Maidenhead, December - February Term
Go on a Wild Walk
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College Lake by Claire Williams
Great reserves all year round
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Volunteer by Jess Gallagher