England · five wildlife sites

Nature reserves & wildlife sites in Berkshire

Explore these places for wildlife in Berkshire. Seasonal notes suggest when to look; sightings are not guaranteed.

01 / 05

Greenham and Crookham Commons

Near Newbury and Thatcham

Habitat: Open heathland with gorse, grassland, gravel patches and wooded edges.
Wildlife to look for: Nightjar (summer evenings), woodlark, Dartford warbler, adder (warmer months), grayling butterfly (summer).

02 / 05

Near Newbury and Thatcham

Habitat: Ancient woodland with shaded streams, sunny clearings and small areas of heathland.
Wildlife to look for: White admiral butterfly (summer), silver-washed fritillary butterfly (summer), marsh tit, grass snake (warmer months), brown long-eared bat (warmer evenings).

03 / 05

Near Tidmarsh, near Pangbourne

Habitat: Damp woodland and wildflower meadows beside the River Pang.
Wildlife to look for: Silver-washed fritillary butterfly (summer), beautiful demoiselle damselfly (late spring–summer), brown hawker dragonfly (summer), fox, stoat.

04 / 05

Near Thatcham

Habitat: Extensive reedbeds and wetland vegetation beside the Kennet Valley’s waterways.
Wildlife to look for: Cetti’s warbler, reed warbler (spring–summer), sedge warbler (spring–summer), water rail (elusive), reed bunting.

05 / 05

Near Twyford

Habitat: A flooded gravel pit with islands, shallow margins and surrounding scrub.
Wildlife to look for: Common tern (spring–summer), oystercatcher (breeding season), great crested grebe, gadwall (especially winter), pochard (especially winter).