Bincombe Beeches LNR

More of a park than a nature reserve; nevertheless for some ‘light’ birding this is a nice place, and although popular with dog walkers you don’t have to watch where you walk (too much).

There is a nice meadow area at the top by the entrance with views to the North. This is a good area for ‘vismig’ and raptor watching. Ravens are quite frequently seen too. Common Orchids abound here in summer with good insect life as well, especially dragonflies. In the wooded areas bird life is exactly what you would expect with Green and Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Nuthatch, Chaffinch and tits and feeding in the impressive beech trees that give the site its name. In the scrub areas Goldcrest, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldfinch and Bullfinch can be found and there are a good number of Song Thrush and Blackbird here too. Tawny Owls are present, though not yet using the nest boxes provided. Spotted Flycatchers and both Meadow and Tree Pipit stop off on migration, and Redwing and Fieldfare can be found in winter.