Warnham
Website: warnhamnaturereservefriends.org.uk
Warnham Local Nature Reserve in Horsham, Sussex is a 92-acre haven for wildlife, especially birds. With its diverse habitats—woodlands, reedbeds, marshes, and a 17-acre millpond—it attracts over 100 bird species annually.
- Heronry: A thriving colony of Grey Herons nests around the millpond.
- Kingfishers: Frequently spotted darting across the water.
- Woodpeckers: All three UK species—Great Spotted, Green, and Lesser Spotted—are present.
- Wildfowl: Includes Mute Swan, Mandarin Duck, Northern Shoveler, and Tufted Duck.
- Waders: Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, and Snipe are regulars; rarer visitors include Avocet and Eurasian Curlew.
- Warblers and Buntings: Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Garden Warbler, and Blackcap breed in the reserve.
- Other Notables: Water Rail, Marsh Tit, Common Tern, and Little Grebe.
With five bird hides and scenic trails, it’s a paradise for birdwatchers year-round. The Discovery Trail includes boardwalks, bridges, and interpretive signs highlighting wildlife and site history. There is a Visitor Centre & Herons Rest Café provide refreshments, exhibits, and live camera feeds from nest boxes.