Withybeds
An island of wet willow woodland alongside the River Lugg.
Location
Know before you go
Dogs
When to visit
Opening times
All year round.Best time to visit
April to JuneAbout the reserve
There's a fine show of spring flowers including marsh marigold and wood anemone. Along the river, grey wagtail and dipper search for insects and a high pitched 'peeping' sound may reveal a streak of turquoise as a kingfisher flies past.
In late spring and early summer, the wood is full of bird song as spotted flycatcher, redstart, willow tit, bullfinch, blackcap and other birds come here to breed. Nuthatch, treecreeper and woodpeckers can be seen and heard all year.
If you wait quietly by the riverside you can see wild brown trout in the shallows. On sunnier days, dragonflies and damselflies will be marking out their territories.