Wildlife

Become nature detectives in South Oxfordshire

South Oxfordshire is brimming with wildlife of all shapes and sizes that will fascinate both children and adults alike. Abundant with foxes, badgers and fallow deer in and around the woods and countryside, the area is also home to Great Britain's largest known population of Great Crested Newts at Little Wittenham nature reserve.

There are many opportunities for children to become 'nature detectives' for the day by visiting South Oxfordshire's five nature reserves, where they can spot fascinating wildlife such as woodpeckers, rare species of butterflies, dragonflies, bats and glow-worms.

Children will love the ancient Ridgeway National Trail and the Icknield Way - Britain's oldest track. During the spring and summer months, the trees and woods create a tunnel over these ancient routes, where rabbits, hares, blue butterflies, fallow deer, foxes and carpets of bluebells will add a touch of magic to your walk.

The woods at Waterperry will test the children's detective work, as they contain over 63 species of butterfly! At Warburg nature reserve, the live underwater camera in the pond will give children a glimpse of what lies beneath and at Stonor Park, a herd of 150 fallow deer can be seen throughout the grounds, which have been home to a herd since medieval times.

Along the River Thames, keep an eye out for swans, ducks, great crested grebe, coots, moorhens, heron and kingfishers that inhabit the river.

One sight that mustn't be missed is that of the red kites that soar majestically in the sky. Encourage children to look above them - the forked tails and splay of wing feathers of the red kite are now a common sight since their successful re-introduction to the Chilterns in the 1970s. If you are lucky, you may see a red kite up close. Particularly good spotting areas are Chinnor Hill, Aston Rowant Nature Reserve, The Ridgeway National Trail, and the Chiltern Hills.