Water world Singing scrub Glorious grassland & plentiful ponds There are eight bird hides in the nature reserve overall, Scrub consists of thorny species such as hawthorn and three of which o er superb views over our 18 hectare blackthorn, intertwined with climbing plants such as dog Grassland habitats break up the woodland and scrub designated bird sanctuary. This provides a refuge for rose and bramble. Well-managed scrub can support a across the site. Many of the grasslands have an waterfowl by preventing boat and foot access within its wide range of wildlife by providing food in the form of associated pond and together these rich habitats margins. nectar, berries and seeds, as well as shelter and nesting support a wide array of plants and animals, including 16 sites protected from disturbance. species of dragonfly and damselfly. The varied shoreline and open water habitats o er unique living conditions for a diverse range of resident and In the springtime many di erent songbirds nest in the Visit Valley Creek Grassland just metres from the car migrant birds. In winter, look out for vast mixed flocks of scrub including bullfinches and several warbler species. park, to see hundreds of common spotted orchids in coot, teal, tufted duck and great crested grebe, which fly In early spring, walk along the Nightingale trail near bloom in early summer, alongside bright displays of here from Siberia and Scandinavia to overwinter or feed Lymage hide for a chance to hear the famous song of Bird's-foot-trefoil, lady’s smock and common knapweed. up before continuing further south. this rare bird. Recent research has allowed us to track The abundant nectar attracts a range of bees and our birds to Gambia and back. butterflies, including the common blue and peacock One of the hides overlooks the settlement lagoons found butterfly. on the southern side of the reservoir. This unique habitat o ers sheltered islands and insect-rich mudflats enjoyed Peer into Valley Creek nature pond, for a chance to spot by ground nesting birds and foraging waders such as Wondrous woodland the nationally rare great crested newt. These redshank, snipe and green sandpiper. Visit in early spring amphibians breed in the pond in spring, before moving for a chance to see the iconic avocet, which has Journey through ancient woodland along the nature occasionally successfully bred here in recent years. out to forage and hibernate in the surrounding grass trails of Littless Wood and in Savages Spinney to and scrub. Bittern have made occasional visits in harsh winters as discover the hidden gems of this rare and diverse British other water bodies freeze over. The lagoons also support habitat. Continuously wooded since the 1600s, it is several reed beds, which are used for nesting by many possible these woods are remnants of the great songbirds including: reed bunting, reed warbler and the wildwood, which once covered huge expanses of Great

vocal Cetti’s warbler. diversity of the structure of the woodland. woodland. the of structure the of diversity Britain.

create glades, and thinned out to increase the the increase to out thinned and glades, create Visit in springtime to marvel at the wondrous displays of

seed. In the plantation woodland, trees are cleared to to cleared are trees woodland, plantation the In seed. bluebells, wood anemone and primroses, all valuable

established native trees more room to grow and set set and grow to room more trees native established indicators of the ancient status of this woodland. Or cast

removal of non-native tree species to allow the the allow to species tree non-native of removal your eyes upward for a chance to see woodland birds

Our ancient woodlands are enhanced through the the through enhanced are woodlands ancient Our including the nuthatch, treecreeper and the rare and

several nesting islands. islands. nesting several

working with to manage the nature reserve. nature the manage to Water Anglian with working elusive lesser spotted woodpecker, busying themselves

hectare bird sanctuary and a wildlife lagoon with with lagoon wildlife a and sanctuary bird hectare Scientific Interest (SSSI) and the Wildlife Trust started started Trust Wildlife the and (SSSI) Interest Scientific

base of the scrub and encourages vigorous growth. growth. vigorous encourages and scrub the of base with this years brood.

and resident waterfowl, the site also boasts an 18 18 an boasts also site the waterfowl, resident and Natural England, designated the reservoir as a Site of Special Special of Site a as reservoir the designated England, Natural but left attached to its stump, which thickens the the thickens which stump, its to attached left but

Famed for its significant numbers of overwintering overwintering of numbers significant its for Famed formed Anglian Water in 1974. In 1986 English Nature, now now Nature, English 1986 In 1974. in Water Anglian formed access to predators. To prevent this, the scrub is cut cut is scrub the this, prevent To predators. to access

hedgerows, scrub, ponds, wetland and open water. water. open and wetland ponds, scrub, hedgerows, Peter Scott. Control of the reservoir passed to the newly newly the to passed reservoir the of Control Scott. Peter unmanaged can become less dense, allowing easier easier allowing dense, less become can unmanaged

of ancient and plantation woodland, grassland, grassland, woodland, plantation and ancient of Prince Philip followed by the nature reserve in 1968 by Sir Sir by 1968 in reserve nature the by followed Philip Prince opportunities for many bird species, but if left left if but species, bird many for opportunities

The reserve covers over 80 hectares and is a mosaic mosaic a is and hectares 80 over covers reserve The The associated treatment works were opened in 1966 by by 1966 in opened were works treatment associated The Our scrub habitats provide great nesting and feeding feeding and nesting great provide habitats scrub Our

Water Nature Reserve. Reserve. Nature Water in England but only eighth largest in volume. volume. in largest eighth only but England in cattle grazing and hay-making. hay-making. and grazing cattle

with Anglian Water, since 1986 to create Grafham Grafham create to 1986 since Water, Anglian with shallow valley it floods, it is the third largest reservoir by area area by reservoir largest third the is it floods, it valley shallow maintained through traditional practices such as as such practices traditional through maintained

has been managed by the Wildlife Trust, in partnership partnership in Trust, Wildlife the by managed been has named Diddington Reservoir after Diddington Brook whose whose Brook Diddington after Reservoir Diddington named support a wide range of species. Our grasslands are are grasslands Our species. of range wide a support

important wildlife haven. The western end of the site site the of end western The haven. wildlife important drinking water to the new town of Milton Keynes. Originally Originally Keynes. Milton of town new the to water drinking reserve require intensive management if they are to to are they if management intensive require reserve

Grafham Water Reservoir has evolved into a nationally nationally a into evolved has Reservoir Water Grafham Grafham Water Reservoir was created in the 1960s to supply supply to 1960s the in created was Reservoir Water Grafham The many and varied habitats found across the the across found habitats varied and many The

reserve nature The History What we do we What

Find out moremore... How to get there

YourTo join local the Wildlife Wildlife Trust Trust BCN contact: protects wildlife and Nearest towns: St. Neots and Huntingdon countrysideThe Manor House for people to enjoy in , CambridgeshireBroad Street and . We are a Access points: via entrances at Mander car park in charityGreat Cambourne dependent on voluntary contributions. the village of Perry and at the Hill Farm car park, Get involved , Church Road, near the village of Grafham. IfCB23 you 6DHwould like more information about our work or Would you like to... aboutCall: 01954 how you713500 can support us, please do get in touch: Address: Grafham Water Nature Reserve, Gain new practical skills in a friendly atmosphere? Email: [email protected] c/o The Fishing Lodge, West Perry, Huntingdon, Learn about nature conservation from our experts? Call: 01954 713500 PE28 0BX. Welcome to Meet new people from your local area? Email: [email protected] Spend time outdoors? Call: 01480 811075 The Wildlife Trusts The Wildlife Trust BCN, The Manor House, Broad Street, Email: [email protected] ....Why not come along and join our team of TheGreat Wildlife Cambourne, Trust forCambridge, Bedfordshire, CB23 Cambridgeshire 6DH Gra am Water nature reserve volunteers, to help us look after this beautiful and Northamptonshire. By bike: national bike route 12 passes through both managed in partnership with Anglian Water nature reserve? We welcome all ages and abilities, Registered charity no: 1000412 Perry and Grafham village, and there joins the Anglian all you need is a pair of sturdy shoes and we’ll get Photos:www.wildlifebcn.org Gregory Belcher and Chantelle Warriner Water cycle track which passes through the nature you started! wildlifebcn reserve. If you are interested please contact [email protected] or Map reference: TL 143 671 call us on 01480 811075. Photos: Gregory Belcher and Chantelle Warriner www.wildlifebcn.org/grafham-water Managed in partnership with Anglia Water www.anglianwaterparks.co.uk How to find Grafham Water To (A1M North)

To Kettering A1M & Northampton A14

Huntingdon To Cambridge Grafham & M11 A14

To Northampton G rafham W ater Buckden

Perry A1 B661 Kimbolton

B645 St Neots A1 A428

To Bedford To London (A1 South)

The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire Registered charity no: 1000412

October 2017 Water world Singing scrub Glorious grassland & plentiful ponds There are eight bird hides in the nature reserve overall, Scrub consists of thorny species such as hawthorn and three of which o er superb views over our 18 hectare blackthorn, intertwined with climbing plants such as dog Grassland habitats break up the woodland and scrub designated bird sanctuary. This provides a refuge for rose and bramble. Well-managed scrub can support a across the site. Many of the grasslands have an waterfowl by preventing boat and foot access within its wide range of wildlife by providing food in the form of associated pond and together these rich habitats margins. nectar, berries and seeds, as well as shelter and nesting support a wide array of plants and animals, including 16 sites protected from disturbance. species of dragonfly and damselfly. The varied shoreline and open water habitats o er unique living conditions for a diverse range of resident and In the springtime many di erent songbirds nest in the Visit Valley Creek Grassland just metres from the car migrant birds. In winter, look out for vast mixed flocks of scrub including bullfinches and several warbler species. park, to see hundreds of common spotted orchids in coot, teal, tufted duck and great crested grebe, which fly In early spring, walk along the Nightingale trail near bloom in early summer, alongside bright displays of here from Siberia and Scandinavia to overwinter or feed Lymage hide for a chance to hear the famous song of Bird's-foot-trefoil, lady’s smock and common knapweed. up before continuing further south. this rare bird. Recent research has allowed us to track The abundant nectar attracts a range of bees and our birds to Gambia and back. butterflies, including the common blue and peacock One of the hides overlooks the settlement lagoons found butterfly. on the southern side of the reservoir. This unique habitat o ers sheltered islands and insect-rich mudflats enjoyed Peer into Valley Creek nature pond, for a chance to spot by ground nesting birds and foraging waders such as Wondrous woodland the nationally rare great crested newt. These redshank, snipe and green sandpiper. Visit in early spring amphibians breed in the pond in spring, before moving for a chance to see the iconic avocet, which has Journey through ancient woodland along the nature occasionally successfully bred here in recent years. out to forage and hibernate in the surrounding grass trails of Littless Wood and in Savages Spinney to and scrub. Bittern have made occasional visits in harsh winters as discover the hidden gems of this rare and diverse British other water bodies freeze over. The lagoons also support habitat. Continuously wooded since the 1600s, it is several reed beds, which are used for nesting by many possible these woods are remnants of the great songbirds including: reed bunting, reed warbler and the wildwood, which once covered huge expanses of Great

vocal Cetti’s warbler. diversity of the structure of the woodland. woodland. the of structure the of diversity Britain.

create glades, and thinned out to increase the the increase to out thinned and glades, create Visit in springtime to marvel at the wondrous displays of

seed. In the plantation woodland, trees are cleared to to cleared are trees woodland, plantation the In seed. bluebells, wood anemone and primroses, all valuable

established native trees more room to grow and set set and grow to room more trees native established indicators of the ancient status of this woodland. Or cast

removal of non-native tree species to allow the the allow to species tree non-native of removal your eyes upward for a chance to see woodland birds

Our ancient woodlands are enhanced through the the through enhanced are woodlands ancient Our including the nuthatch, treecreeper and the rare and

several nesting islands. islands. nesting several elusive lesser spotted woodpecker, busying themselves

hectare bird sanctuary and a wildlife lagoon with with lagoon wildlife a and sanctuary bird hectare

base of the scrub and encourages vigorous growth. growth. vigorous encourages and scrub the of base with this years brood.

and resident waterfowl, the site also boasts an 18 18 an boasts also site the waterfowl, resident and but left attached to its stump, which thickens the the thickens which stump, its to attached left but

Famed for its significant numbers of overwintering overwintering of numbers significant its for Famed access to predators. To prevent this, the scrub is cut cut is scrub the this, prevent To predators. to access

hedgerows, scrub, ponds, wetland and open water. water. open and wetland ponds, scrub, hedgerows, unmanaged can become less dense, allowing easier easier allowing dense, less become can unmanaged

of ancient and plantation woodland, grassland, grassland, woodland, plantation and ancient of opportunities for many bird species, but if left left if but species, bird many for opportunities

The reserve covers over 80 hectares and is a mosaic mosaic a is and hectares 80 over covers reserve The Our scrub habitats provide great nesting and feeding feeding and nesting great provide habitats scrub Our

Water Nature Reserve. Reserve. Nature Water cattle grazing and hay-making. hay-making. and grazing cattle

with Anglian Water, since 1986 to create Grafham Grafham create to 1986 since Water, Anglian with maintained through traditional practices such as as such practices traditional through maintained

has been managed by the Wildlife Trust, in partnership partnership in Trust, Wildlife the by managed been has support a wide range of species. Our grasslands are are grasslands Our species. of range wide a support

important wildlife haven. The western end of the site site the of end western The haven. wildlife important reserve require intensive management if they are to to are they if management intensive require reserve

Grafham Water Reservoir has evolved into a nationally nationally a into evolved has Reservoir Water Grafham The many and varied habitats found across the the across found habitats varied and many The

reserve nature The What we do we What Great crested grebe Wigeon

E

Wood pasture Hill Farm Teal hide Car Park

Get involved KEY TO MAP Would you like to... Savages Grassland Gain new practical skills in a friendly atmosphere? Creek Learn about nature conservation from our experts? Savages hide N Deciduous woodland Meet new people from your local area? Ancient semi-natural woodland Spend time outdoors? Reedbed and willow ....Why not come along and join our team of Coniferous woodland volunteers, to help us look after this beautiful nature reserve? We welcome all ages and abilities, Open water all you need is a pair of sturdy shoes and we’ll get you started! Arable land If you are interested please contact Cycle path [email protected] or call us on 01480 811075. Footpath only

Nightingale trail

Road E Entrance Littless Creek Car park Bird sanctuary Littless hide Harbour View Café

Did you know? Toilets

There are 10 species of bat present within the Bird sanctuary nature reserve. The ancient wood provides both Dudney hide forage and roosting sites for these night time Dudney Creek Wildlife Trust information barn specialists, which include the common and soprano pipistrelle, Daubenton's which feed over the water surface and the rare barbastelle. Lymage hide

In the winter time, Grafham reservoir can host upwards of 30,000 gulls, which often includes species like the & Fishing Lodge Icelandic, glaucous and Caspian gulls. These gulls form a Valley creek floating raft on the open water in the evening and disperse hide Mander hide to the surrounding areas come daybreak. Mander Valley Car Park Creek E Tufted duck Valley Creek Grassland

Illustrations by Mike Hughes www.mikehugheswildlifeart.co.uk