I’ll be honest: I was hesitant to recommend Besthorpe Nature Reserve following a recent visit. I wanted to keep it all to myself. A secret.
Our nature recovery manager, Chris, and his group of conservation volunteers recommended a relaxed 90-minute circular walking route, around Mon’s pool in the south of the reserve. There were excited promises of egrets, herons, avocets, and little ringed plover (if I could remember what they looked like). I set off with high hopes.
I was immediately struck by the number of dragonflies. Not just one or two darting around, but hundreds. Large, small, blue, yellow, flirting, dancing! The closer I looked, the more we noticed. And not just dragonflies – moths and ladybirds were nestled under flower petals. Butterflies were dancing amongst carpets of wildflowers, skirting the water’s edge. The UK’s insect apocalypse suddenly felt a million miles away.
Besthorpe is a birdwatcher’s paradise. I’d be as bold to say it’s up there amongst my favourites, because it makes spotting birds so easy. Within minutes of setting along the footpath, a flock of a hundred or so lapwings took to the sky above us, making the funniest “pee-wit!” song. We were also delighted to discover that the nature reserve boasts an ancient heronry, an inland colony of cormorants, a sand martin bank, and resident owls. It was difficult to choose where to look first.
As we moved between the viewing points, I was continually amazed by the wetland wildlife; it wasn’t dissimilar to a game of “Where’s Wally?” From within the four bird hides, we spotted little egrets stalking shorelines, a kingfisher on a pole (fish in beak!), a kestrel fluttering overhead, and a train of tiny ducklings. Take the chance to leaf through the logbook in one of the hides, and make sure to write down what you see! A personal highlight was spotting my first avocet delicately tiptoeing in the shallows, which I logged with a beaming smile.
You don’t need to be a wildlife whiz to enjoy Besthorpe; I think that’s what makes this wonderful wetland so special. The paths are accessible and well-maintained, offering inspiring views throughout. The wildlife is abundant and easy to spot (I’d recommend bringing a pair of binoculars).
Wetlands in the UK are under real threat – we’ve lost 90% of them in the last century. Places like Besthorpe Nature Reserve serve as shining examples of how these habitats can look when they’ve been exceptionally well-cared for. It’s easy to forget that hours upon hours of hard work and planning goes on behind the scenes to make places like this so spectacular for wildlife.
Besthorpe is one of four wetland nature reserves we’re currently fundraising for (alongside Attenborough, Idle Valley and Skylarks Nature Reserves). Donations will support crucial work to maintain and improve these special places for wildlife – all support is hugely appreciated.
Visit Besthorpe Nature Reserve this summer, and experience wetland wildlife at its best. It’s just too good to keep a secret.
Car parking is available at Besthorpe Nature Reserve. The closest train station is in Collingham, and most of the reserve is bike-friendly.
There are no facilities (toilets, food/drink options) at the nature reserve, but nearby villages boast cafes and pubs if you’d like to follow your walk with lunch or dinner.
Langford Lowfields nature reserve (owned & managed by RSPB) is nearby. If you’d like a bumper day out, you could visit both wetland sites in one trip!
