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Over the
years Withymead Nature Reserve
has become home to a wide
variety of wildlife. With the
river along it’s western edge
the inlets and islands provides
a wetland habitat to support a
diverse range of animals.
Mammals
During day light hours and
throughout the year, grey
squirrels leap through the tree
canopies and raid the bird
feeders, and occasionally a
mouse or rat can be seen darting
for cover. Whilst the birds take
centre stage during the day, it
is at night that the mammals at
Withymead come out of hiding.
Muntjac and Roe Deer pass like
shadows through the trees, and
fox slip silently along familiar
paths. Badgers emerge from their
setts; gnarled and twisted roots
and soil mounds.
A bat study has identified five
species of bat, including
Pipistrelle, Noctule and the
Brown Long-eared Bat.
Invertebrate
With its proximity to the river,
Withymead supports a good share
of invertebrate. Frogs, toads
and newts spawn in the still
waters of the inlets and
hibernate amongst the logs and
stones along the water’s edge.
The Desmoulins whorl snail, a
land snail that is on the
decline throughout Europe,
relies on fungi and micro-algae
in wetland areas to survive.
Grass cuttings, covered in
corrugated iron provide shelter
and nesting material for grass
snakes and slow worms.
To arrange a visit phone
01491
872265 or email
info@withymead.co.uk |
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