About the reserve

Cottage Farm is home to a wide range of habitats including ancient woodland, bog, species-rich grassland, hedgerows and ponds. 

In spring, the beautiful woodland is carpeted with ancient woodland flowers such as bluebells and wood anemones.  

In summer, the nature reserve is buzzing with insects. Meadow brown and orange-tip are just some of the many butterflies you might spot, along with a wide array of moths and damselflies, such as large red and banded demoiselle.

The spread of habitats across a relatively small area allows for a good day’s bird watching. In summer, keep your eyes peeled for breeding birds such as spotted flycatcher, starling, bullfinch and reed bunting.

In winter, the hedgerows are full of feeding flocks of fieldfare and redwing alongside blackbird, song thrush and mistle thrush, while the woodlands provide habitat for woodcock.

The nature reserve sits alongside the River Strule, which is well-known for its Atlantic salmon and brown trout – and is a good place to watch out for kingfishers.

A wide range of mammals such as badger, otter, red squirrel, Daubenton’s and pipistrelle bats have all been recorded.

At Cottage Farm, we’re helping to protect this valuable haven for wildlife by removing invasive scrub and non-native plants, particularly from the bog, and carrying out regular biological monitoring.