clicking here - Vinters Valley Nature Reserve

clicking here - Vinters Valley Nature Reserve

Vinters Valley Nature Reserve
Blue Tit Walk map and information Welcome to Vinters Valley Nature Reserve. This information pack contains maps, photos, information and details on the new Blue Tit walk. The walk will take around 1 hour to complete (if you stop along the way) and you will see some of the wonderful wildlife there is in the reserve. The walk starts and ends at the Lodge Road entrance and is marked out with blue and yellow arrows. Stop 1: Lodge Feeding Station & Notice Board As you start your walk, you will see our Bird Feeding Station and notice board. By taking a look through one of the windows, you have the chance to see and photograph around eight different species of birds. The notice board also contains some of the photos taken and general information on birds found and seen in the reserve. Continue down the path. Some of the species you are likely to see at The Feeding Station: Blue Tit Great Tit Nuthatch Chaffinch Robin Dunnock Bird Feeding Station & Notice Board Stop 2: Lodge Notice Board The Lodge notice board contains details about our visitors guide lines, useful contact information, details about the reserve and information on how you can join our “Friends of the Reserve” scheme. Walk through the iron gates to continue your walk. Lodge Road Entrance Notice Board Stop 3 The notice board in this area contains information on the history of the reserve. The stack of logs next to it is a stag beetle pyramid. The pyramid will provide habitat for the beetle and other insects. Follow the path round to continue your walk. History Notice Board area Stop 4 Turn left to continue your walk. Turn left to continue your walk
Stop 5 – The Kitchen Garden (Stage 1) Take a few minutes to just stop, look and listen here. As the Bird Feeding Station backs onto this pathway, you have a good chance of hearing and seeing a number of bird species. Follow the pathway along to continue with your walk. Entrance into the Kitchen Garden Stop 6 – The Kitchen Garden (Stage 2) Located on the tree is one of the many bird boxes located around the reserve. Why not take just a few minutes (in April & May) to see if you can spot any birds going into the box? Follow the pathway round to continue your walk. Kitchen Garden – Bird Box 1 Stop 7 – The Kitchen Garden (Stage 3) Another bird box is located on the Oak tree, were you have a chance to see Blue Tits or Great Tits coming in and out (April‐May). By turning right, you can visit the wildlife pond and take a rest on the seat. The clearing is a great place to stop and listen. Bullfinches can be seen flying through and sometimes even a fox can be seen dosing in the sun, if you are quiet. To continue with your walk follow the pathway along. The Kitchen Garden The Kitchen Garden The Kitchen Garden Wildlife Pond Area Fox Stop 8 – The Kitchen Garden (Stage 4) Follow the pathway round to continue your walk. The Kitchen Garden Stop 9 – The Kitchen Garden (Stage 5) When it is quiet here you have a good chance of seeing some of the resident birds. Species include: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Wren, Dunnock, and Blackbird. Follow the pathway round to the right to continue your walk. The Kitchen Garden The Kitchen Garden Stop 10 – The Kitchen Garden (Stage 6) In July & August the Buddleia bushes provide important nectar sources for bees and butterflies. Butterflies include: Red Admiral, Peacock, Painted Lady, Comma, Large White, Small White and Green‐veined White. Follow the pathway round to continue your walk. Some of the butterfly species you are likely to see here: Red Admiral Peacock Comma Painted Lady Large White The Kitchen Garden (Buddleia Bushes) Stop 11 – The Kitchen Garden (Stage 7) The house used to stand where the Poplar Trees are now. You can find out more about the history by purchasing one of our books. Follow the pathway round to continue your walk. Were the Poplar Trees are now used to be where the house once stood
Stop 12 – The Terrace Area (Stage 1) Follow the pathway round, to the left, to continue your walk. The Kitchen Garden Terrace Area Stop 13 – The Terrace Area (Stage 2) Why not take a stop, have a rest and sit down for a few minutes? Just sitting here quietly you have a great chance of seeing and hearing some of the wildlife found in the reserve. During July and August you will also see butterflies and bees on the Buddleia bush. Follow the pathway down to continue with your walk. Terrace Area Stop 14 – Towards the Lake (Stage 1) Robins, Wrens, Dunnocks and sometimes Treecreepers can be seen here. Follow the pathway down to continue with your walk. The Kitchen Garden Pathway towards the Lake Stop 15 – Towards the Lake (Stage 2) The hedgerow along the Cow Field provides excellent places for many bird species to nest in. Bullfinches are also found along the hedge. Each year a section of the hedge is cut to allow fresh regrowth. Follow the pathway down to continue with your walk. Once at the crossroads turn right, towards The Lake. Hedgerow and pathway towards the Lake Stop 16 – The Lake There are many species of birds you may see on the lake and its surrounding area. Species include: Mallard (Duck), Coot, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Kingfisher (if you are lucky) and Canada Goose. The Lake is also used by other wildlife. Species include: Toad, Frog & Dragonflies. In March 2010 a Toad Survey was carried out and an impressive total of over 154 were recorded in one night. The Lake is now recorded as a key site for Toads with KRAG (Conservation Group). Frogs also spawn here and it is possible to see Tadpoles later in the spring and summer. Dragonflies also use the Lake to lay their eggs in. There is also a notice board with details about the reserve. Follow the pathway up to continue with your walk. Some of the wildlife you are likely to see here:
The Kitchen Garden Duck Frog Toad Canada Goose Moorhen Common Darter The Lake Stop 17 It is nice to sit here and just watch to see what wildlife is about. Species include: Blue Tit, Great Tit, Robin, Goldcrest, Wren and Robin. Follow the pathway down to continue with your walk. The Kitchen Garden Why not take a stop? Stop 18 Follow the valley floor pathway along to continue with your walk. Valley Floor Stop 19 – The Valley Floor This area is known as “The Dog Exercise Area”, were dogs are allowed off their leads, providing they are kept under control. There a few bird boxes located in the trees. During April & May you may see the Orange Tip butterfly flying up and down this pathway, stopping briefly to nectar on the Milkmaid flowers. Follow the valley floor pathway along to continue with your walk. Valley Floor Stop 20 – The Valley Floor Crossroads You can take a breather here, by sitting on the seat. Turn right, cross the wooden bridge, to continue with your walk. Visitors will also join the walk from this point, if coming from the Netley Meadow Bird Feeding Station. Valley Floor Crossroads Stop 21 – The Top Ride (Stage 1) Turn right, to continue with your walk. Stop 22 – The Top Ride (Stage 2) Along this route are a number of bird boxes were you have the chance (during April & May) to see a number of species using them. Follow the pathway along to continue with your walk. The Top Ride Stop 23 – The Stone Steps The stone steps were designed and built by members of “The Tuesday Gang”. During the spring months Daffodils can be found in flower in January and February, Snowdrops can be found passed these steps. Follow the pathway along to continue with your walk. Daffodils Snowdrops Stone Steps Stop 24 – The Lime Tree Grove In this area are a number of bird boxes, so you may see Blue Tit, Great Tit or Robin utilising the boxes. The new ramp was created by “The Tuesday Gang" and now allows easier access. Follow the pathway along, to your right, to continue with your walk. The Lime Tree Grove Stop 25 – Pathway & Gypsy Field Lookout Point The Gypsy Field is not open to members of the public or visitors, however there is a viewing window along the footpath. If you are quiet you may well see species of birds looking for food, Rabbits and even a Fox! Follow the pathway along to continue with your walk. Fox Rabbit Stop 26 Follow the pathway along to continue with your walk. Stop 27 – Back at the Lodge Road entrance This brings you to the end of the "Blue Tit Walk". We hope you have enjoyed your trip around and have managed to see some of the wonderful wildlife there is in Vinters Valley Nature Reserve. We would love to hear your comments or sightings. Please contact us via the "Contact" page on our website Back at the Lodge Road entrance