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Railwaycrossing

Boardwalk

Railwaycrossing

Bridge

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Finding your way around

Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve

Woodland trailDiscover the magic of thebluebell woods in spring on this2.4km walk taking about 1 hour.Listen for woodpeckersdrumming and warblers in fullsong. Return along the riverbankand admire the peaceful views.Gentle paths, uneven in placesand sloping up to the riverbank.

Fen trailThis relaxing walk through reedbeds and alongside pools is 3.8km andtakes about 1.5 hours. The tower hide offers stunning views. Watch formarsh harriers, bitterns and other reedbed birds. Gentle but uneven pathsthat can be muddy or flooded in winter.

Meadow trailOpen in spring and summer only.A 1.2km stroll through meadowsbuzzing with insects and rich withwild orchids, taking around 30minutes. Can you spot a rareswallowtail butterfly with itsstartling yellow and black wings?Gentle but uneven paths withsteps to the riverbank.

The male bittern’s‘booming’ songsounds like someoneblowing gently overthe top of a bottle.

We still carry out thetraditional practices ofreed-cutting, mowing andcattle-grazing to helpwildlife to thrive here.

More than 40 volunteerswork here – they help atreception, duringevents, in the office andwith outdoor work.

Look out fordragonflies

zippingaround themeadowbridge.

The Meadow trail

is a great short walk forthe family inthe summer.

Listen forwoodpeckersdrumming onthe Woodland

trail.

Stretch yourlegs andenjoy the

views on theFen trail.

Enjoydramatic

views over thereedbeds from

the towerhide.

Borrow a netfrom the

reception hideto go pond-

dipping.

Go pond-dipping in

summer anddiscover a

watery worldof mini-beasts.

Marvel atmarsh harriers‘sky-dancing’

in spring.

Listen for thebitterns’

booming callsin spring.

THETRAILS

Water

Meadow

Reedbed

Woodland

Railway

Reception hide

Toilet

Car park

‘‘Had a great day outwith my daddy andsister. We saw a bitternand a kingfisher, alsolots of butterflies anddragonflies.

‘‘

Natasha, aged 10

Stroll throughbluebell woodsin spring and

listen forwoodpeckers.

Trail information

We’ve designed andsignposted all three trailsto start from the receptionhide, so you’ll get the bestexperience if you startthere.

Look out forotters hunting

in the poolsand dykes.