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Cambridgeshire

Bird and Nature Reserves

 Fowlmere - RSPB

Kingfisher Wetland and woodland bird reserve.
Location: Map ref. TL 407461 - Fowlmere, near Royston, 8m S Cambridge
Road: A10, turn off at Shepreth
Train: Shepreth station - 2 miles away
Telephone: 01603 661662
Facilities:4 hides and boardwalk suitable for wheelchairs. Parking
Features: Disused watercress beds, fed from spring. Reedbeds, open water, woodland and scrub.

Good variety of breeding warblers including Reed, Sedge and Grasshopper, Water Rail and Kingfisher. In winter, Corn Bunting roost.
 
 Grafham Water - Anglian Water & WT for Cambs
Reservoir with woodland.
Location: Map ref. TL 148680 - West Perry, Huntingdon, Cambs
Road: B661 (Mander car park)
Admission: Free
Telephone: 01480 812660
Facilities: 6 hides and Information Centre. Parking. Refreshments available near reserve.
Large reservoir with creeks and woodland surrounds.

Good variety of woodland and scrub birds, including Nightingale. Reservoir holds wintering wildfowl and grebes, occasionally divers. Passage birds can include Black Tern, Little Gull and waders.
 
 Ouse Washes - RSPB / WT for Cambs
Fenland flood meadows.
Location: Map ref. TL 471861 - From Manea, close to Chatteris
Facilities: Hides and Information Centre. Toilets. Parking.
Admission: Free
Telephone: 01354 680212
Features: Flood meadows and important area for both breeding waders and duck, and as wintering area for large numbers of wildfowl.

Breeding Black-tailed Godwit, Snipe, Redshank, Lapwing, Garganey. Marsh Harrier frequently seen. In winter, large numbers of Bewick Swans, also Whooper Swan, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail. Hen Harrier and Merlin regular.
 
 Paxton Pits - Hunts DC
Fooded gravel pits - local nature reserve.
Location: Map ref. TL 197629 - Little Paxton
Road:
Facilities: Hides and Information Centre (limited opening). Reserve open at all times on marked paths. Parking.
Features: Gravel pits, with wooded edges and scrub. Marked trails.

70 species breeding annually, including Heron, Cormorant, Little Ringed Plover, Common Tern, Kingfisher. Also good for Nightingale and warblers.
 
 Wicken Fen - National Trust
Fenland reserve - Britains oldest nature reserve
Location: Map ref. TL 563705 - 3m SW Soham, 9m NE Cambridge
Road: A1123 (off A142 and A10)
Facilities: Information Centre, hides and marked trails. Parking. Self-catering accommodation available.
Admission: Charge (Free to NT members)
Telephone: 01263 733471
Features: Fenland reserve, with reedbeds, open water, meadows and scrub.

Good variety of breeding wetland birds including warblers, Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tits. In winter, wildfowl and Hen Harrier roost.
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