Connect with nature & wildlife at Rother Valley

Love Birds? Then you’ll love our nature reserve.

Spring migration sees our woodlands come alive with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Grasshopper Warbler, all announcing their arrival in a cacophony of song. Robin, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Bullfinch can also be seen flitting between branches, either looking for nesting material or a hearty meal to keep them going through the winter months.

Rother Valleys Nature Reserve spans a large area which incorporates a lake and a variety of hedgerows. Since the park opened, over 260 species of birds have been recorded, so there’s always something to see all year round.

If you would like to get up close and personal with the birds, there is a designated feeding area near the main car park and miniature train station. All we ask is that you feed them with the bird food we have available at the park, as bread is not suitable for their digestive system and can make them quite poorly. 

Mini Beasts, Insects and Animals

The park is home to various mini beasts, including some lovely varieties of butterflies.

The grasslands are a hive of activity for many insects and other invertebrates. Small mammals such as mice, voles and shrews also occur in large numbers, as well as bigger animals such as rabbits, hares, Kestrels and Skylarks. In areas where the vegetation has been cut and allowed to rot, grass snakes can sometimes be seen.