Wildlife

If Wildlife is something you love as we do, you'll find plenty to do on and around the site.

We have worked hard here on site, and with our neighbours, to create and improve habitats for a wide variety of wildlife. We have planted hedges, created scrapes and improved access into the countryside by creating permissive paths which link up to existing public footpaths and lanes.

2025 saw a return of the Canadian geese and 6 Oyster catchers, there where 2 pairs of Turtle doves nesting on site,

2024 started cold and wet, this may have affected early bee and insect movements . The geese returned and successfully raised goslings to maturity again, but the Oystercatcher did not nest here this year. We have been visited by the Turtle Doves who are pairing up and nesting. They receive additional seed feed which is intended to help them go on to make a second brood. A much needed boost for this endangered species. Plant life continues to thrive, Bee Orchid, Pyramidal and Southern Marsh Orchid bloomed well again this year. Many species of Dragonfly and Damselfly breed and live near the lakes. The grassland around Kingfisher Lake is managed to promote perennial wildflower species and looked very stunning when the Oxe-eye Daisy was in flull bloom.

In 2023 we had a very successful spring for the Oystercatcher who raised all four of their chicks to adulthood, the geese returned and successfully reared six goslings to maturity. Tufted Duck have raised six chicks and Little Grebe also have bred here successfully. Turtle Doves have returned and the feeding programme designed to increase clutch numbers and additional brood efforts continues. Sadly, worldwide the numbers continue to decline. But we will continue to work with the RSPB to support this endangered bird. Two mega rare sightings this year are Montague's Harrier and a Night Heron which flew over the site. Locally, this year has been exceptional for quite rare birds, for example Black Winged Stilt, Bee-Eater and Kentish Plover have been seen nearby in large numbers. There is a large population of Grass Vetchling plants in the long grass and around Georges lake Bee and Southern Marsh Orchid continue to thrive. Bearded Tit were seen for the first time here, in October.

In 2022 the geese returned and produced 6 goslings which eventually flew away to start a new life. The Oyster Catchers hatched off 4 chicks and we have seen one raised to full size. Swallows, House Martins and Shoveler Duck have also been spotted as well as Turtle Doves. The Shoveler Duck produced a brood of 8 chicks. Sedge, Reed and Garden Warbler plus Reed Bunting also successfully nested again this year. Red Kite and Marsh Harrier have been seen overhead. Unusual bird sightings in 2022 include Nightingale, Cetti's Warbler, Green Sandpiper, Osprey and Common Crane.

Duck success stories : Our continued feeding programme to encourage wildfowl has resulted in an increase in the Duck species range. Not only do we now support Mallard but other less common species, such as Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck and Teal. We would love to see them return again for the winter.

We are working on increasing the depth of the scrape in some places, whilst maintaining the nature of a scrape. The aim is to hold more water in some parts and protect against possible drought and prevent it totally drying out in the future.

In 2021 we saw the successful raising of four goslings and a young Oystercatcher. The Oystercatcher family continued to fly overhead regularly for a while. The Turtle Doves returned and could be heard purring in the trees. Thriving hedgehogs were seen on a nightly basis on the campsite.