My adoration for the natural world has been with me for over 10 years. It has always been there for me, through school, sixth form, and now university. I’m a proud nature nerd, and what I love most is that there is an infinite amount to learn. My passion has taken me to some amazing places, for which I am incredibly grateful. With that in mind, it’s tempting to think we’re unlucky in the UK with our wildlife, but that is far from the truth.
Over the past few years, I’ve spent many hours exploring wildlife spots across the UK, particularly in Sussex and Dorset. Having grown up in Crawley, West Sussex, I’m a big fan of urban wildlife. The coast is also a major draw for me, and a couple of years ago, I began studying at Bournemouth University. For me, it’s not about rare birds or awe-inspiring spectacles, but about places that hold fond memories and where I can truly connect with nature in my own way. Most of the time, that means birding, but in autumn I love fungi-hunting, and in summer, I search for invertebrates.
Here are five of my favourite nature sites in the UK. Each of these places has made the top five for different reasons, and all are special in their own way.
1. RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Pulborough is a reserve I’ve been visiting since I was 10 years old, so it holds many happy memories. Pulborough Brooks, located in the Arun Valley of West Sussex, offers views across the South Downs and is rich in wildlife year-round. In spring, you can hear the Nightingale’s rich song, and in summer, you might spot an Adder basking in the sun. My favourite time to visit is winter, when the sheer volume of birds creates a spectacle not to be missed. The sounds of whistling Wigeon, flocks of Black-tailed Godwit startled by a resident Peregrine Falcon, and regular sightings of White-tailed Eagles make this my favourite reserve in Sussex.
2. RSPB Arne
When I moved to Bournemouth for university a couple of years ago, my first field trip was to RSPB Arne. Situated in Dorset, on Poole Harbour, Arne boasts vast heathlands, ancient oak woodland, and views across one of the most nature-rich areas in the Southwest. I love spending a hot summer’s day on the heathland, looking for Green Tiger Beetles, Sand Lizards, and Woodlark. To top it off, there’s always a good chance of spotting an Osprey flying overhead.
3. Warnham Local Nature Reserve
This small 92-acre reserve was the first place I visited when I discovered my passion for wildlife. Located in the town of Horsham, West Sussex, it has a millpond, woodland, and reedbeds. It has been a vital place for me growing up; I’ve spent countless hours in the hides, gaining knowledge from fellow birders and learning more about nature by having a local patch. It just shows the importance of having local nature reserves in urban areas. The reserve is also a great place to see Kingfishers (my favourite bird) in autumn and winter.
4. Knepp Wildland
I’m very lucky that when I’m home in Crawley, I’m only twenty minutes away from the best-known rewilding site in the UK. Over the years, I’ve seen it develop into an important place for wildlife, as well as a place where people can connect with nature and experience the hope that rewilding offers. With a mosaic of scrub, grassland, and woodland, naturally managed by large herbivores like Longhorn Cattle, a walk around Knepp feels like a safari. I particularly enjoy visiting on spring evenings, when Nightingales and Turtle Doves sing, and newly arrived birds like Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, and Blackcaps fill the air. And, of course, Knepp is home to the White Stork reintroduction project.
5. RSPB Lodmoor and Radipole
Also known as the RSPB Weymouth Wetlands, these two sites in Dorset are about a half-hour walk from each other. Despite being located within a busy seaside town, they are home to some incredible wildlife. RSPB Lodmoor is a great place to see waders up close at low tide, especially in autumn and winter. Some of my best sightings have included Bittern, which occasionally appear in the reedbeds, and a pair of Black-winged Stilt. On the other side of town, next to fast-food restaurants, lies the vast reedbeds of RSPB Radipole Lake. Here, I’ve had my best views of Bearded Tits, especially in late summer and autumn. The last time I visited, I heard their distinctive ‘pinging’ call and was thrilled to see three juveniles perched in the reeds right in front of me!
‘I’m out birding in all conditions, throughout the seasons, so I need light-weight binoculars which can deliver a great image even in low-light conditions. My Ultravids are perfect for this.’