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Withymead
Nature Reserve is a haven for
both indigenous and migratory
species. With open farmland to
the north, the River Thames
bordering the south and the reed
beds and deciduous woodland at
the reserve, a wide variety of
birds visit or breed at the
reserve.
Indigenous birds
The wardens encourage familiar
woodland and garden birds, such
as blackbirds, thrushes, robins,
members of the tit family and
chaffinch, with feeding stations
near the house. Buzzards and red
kite glide overhead and in the
reed beds coots and moorhens
nest and rear their young. By
the river kingfishers can
occasionally be spotted and
swans bring their young into the
grounds to feed.
In the woods the distant tapping
of a woodpecker can often be
heard. The great spotted and
green woodpecker nest on the
reserve and at night barn owls
and tawny owls call through the
trees.
Migratory birds
Withymead is one of the main
bird ringing centres in the
South of England. Under the
auspices of the British Trust
for Ornithology
http://www.bto.org
bird-ringing, using mist nets,
is carried out all year round.
The data collected is used to
monitor changes in migratory
patterns and climate change.
Winter visitors include redpoll
and brambling. During the summer
months migrants nest in the reed
beds and include sedge warbler,
reed warbler, reed bunting.
redstart and nightingale have
been seen as passing migrants.
To obtain a copy of the most
recent survey or to arrange a
visit phone
01491
872265 or email
info@withymead.co.uk |
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