Kelham Bridge
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
Always openBest time to visit
SpringAbout the reserve
This nature reserve may be relatively young, but it is already bursting with life. Just a few miles from Ibstock and Coalville, this is the ideal place to escape the area’s industrial heritage. This nature reserve is being taken back by nature – tranquil waters meander in a natural way, the land is allowed to flood in heavy rain, and as soon as you walk through the gates, you’ll feel like you’re leaving the real world behind.
Birdwatching is best in the late spring, but check back throughout the year to see what new waders, raptors and passerines have checked in. A great site for warblers, listen out in the early mornings and late evenings for the reeling of the grasshopper warbler – just like a fishing reel! Whitethroat, reed and sedge warbler are all present in good numbers in the summer, too. Grey partridge, little ringed plover, snipe, little owl and kingfisher are seen regular. This is also a top spot for watching birds of prey. Osprey, merlin, buzzard, kestrel and peregrine have all been seen, along with the more locally rare marsh harrier, hen harrier and Montagu’s harrier! We’ve even had our own red-footed falcon!
Keep an eye out in the summer for invertebrates - 16 species of dragonfly and 19 species of butterfly have been recorded. We even get some amazing, and rare, mammals, like harvest mouse, water shrew and otter!
Species
Contact us
This video of Kelham Bridge Nature Reserve features the natural sounds of the reserve. For the video with added music please visit this link https://youtu.be/ftUqPSiIzQA
Visit our YouTube channel to see our other reserve videos https://www.youtube.com/@lrwt56