Bird Watching

There are a number of Bird and Wildfowl reserves for great bird watching in the Peak District and surrounding area. So do get out your binoculars and enjoy our bird visitors all year around! Alternatively from most Party Houses you should be able to view a variety of birds. For example; we have placed Barn Owl nest boxes in several Party Houses and many owlets have successfully been raised in these. Little Owls are frequent visitors at Toft Hall and, as unlike many owls, they come out in the day, you may well see them just sitting on the driveway! In the summer the Curlews are frequent visitors and you can hear their distinct cries and see their long curved beaks as they fly above. At Roaches Hall you pass below the Peregrine Falcon nesting site in the spring. We just ask that you watch from afar and let the young birds fledge safely and without the stress of encountering humans close up!

We have nature and bird books in Party Houses, so do see how many you can identify during your stay…..

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Birdholme Wildfowl Reserve

Birdholme Wildfowl Reserve is a sanctuary for birdlife located in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England. Situated on the former site of Birdholme Colliery, the reserve encompasses a mix of open water, reed beds, and grassland habitats. It attracts a variety of waterfowl and wetland birds throughout the year, including ducks, geese, and waders. Managed by local conservation groups, the reserve offers birdwatching opportunities and educational programs to raise awareness about wetland ecosystems and wildlife conservation. Its accessible trails and bird hides provide visitors with tranquil views of nature, making it a popular destination for both enthusiasts and casual observers alike.

Carr Vale Nature Reserve

(Map Reference: SK460690) Carr Vale Nature Reserve, formed through subsidence in a former mining area, features open water bordered by reedmace, sedges, and rushes, surrounded by meadows with the River Doe Lea along its southern edge. To the west lies the M1 motorway. Spoil heaps to the north have been landscaped and feature scrub vegetation. The reserve offers a viewing mound with disabled access instead of hides, providing views of wintering wildfowl and large flocks of plovers.

Chatsworth Park

Chatsworth Park, located in Derbyshire, England, surrounds Chatsworth House, home to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. This expansive parkland spans over 1,000 acres and features manicured gardens, woodlands, and the River Derwent flowing through. Designed by Capability Brown in the 18th century, it offers stunning vistas of the house and surrounding countryside. Visitors can explore walking trails, visit the farmyard and adventure playground, and enjoy events like the annual Chatsworth Country Fair. Chatsworth Park is a blend of natural beauty and historical grandeur.

Cromford Canal

Cromford Canal is a historic waterway in Derbyshire, England, opened in 1794 to transport goods between Cromford and the Erewash Canal. Spanning 14.5 miles, it passes through scenic countryside and industrial heritage sites, including the Cromford Mills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The canal played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution but fell into disuse by the mid-20th century. Today, it is a popular spot for walking, cycling, and exploring the remnants of its industrial past.

Darley Park

Darley Park is a large public park located in Derby, England, along the banks of the River Derwent. Spanning 80 acres, it features picturesque gardens, expansive lawns, and wooded areas. The park is renowned for its hydrangea collection, one of the largest in the UK. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, a cafe, and annual events like the Darley Park Concert. It offers a serene escape within the city, perfect for recreation and relaxation.

Foremark Reservoir

Goyt Valley and Axe Edge

(Map reference SK015758) Mainly grit-stone valley with large reservoirs, plantations and open moorland. Best in spring and summer for Red Grouse, Wheatear, Golden Plover Curlew, Whinchat, Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Wood Warbler Dipper, Pied Flycatcher and Red-breasted Merganser. Easily accessed from the old A6 Buxton – Manchester road, now the A5002 or from the A537 Buxton – Macclesfield road, there area several car parks in the valley.

Kedleston Park

Kedleston Park is an expansive parkland surrounding Kedleston Hall, located near Derby in Derbyshire, England. The estate, managed by the National Trust, covers approximately 820 acres and was designed by the famous landscape architect Lancelot “Capability” Brown. It features sweeping lawns, wooded areas, and ornamental lakes. Kedleston Hall, an 18th-century neoclassical mansion, serves as the centrepiece, showcasing exquisite architecture and art collections. The park offers walking trails, garden tours, and a glimpse into historical aristocratic life.

Longshaw Estate

Longshaw Estate is a scenic area located in the Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, England. Managed by the National Trust, it spans over 1,600 acres of moorland, woodland, and parkland. The estate features walking trails, picturesque views, and historical buildings, including the Longshaw Lodge. Popular activities include hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking. Longshaw Estate is known for its rich wildlife, tranquil landscapes, and proximity to the stunning gritstone edges of the Peak District.

Middleton Moor Lagoons

To reach this site, take the A623 Baslow – Buxton road and turn left at the junction signposted Cavendish Mill. For the No.3 Lagoon, take the first left, follow the road (watch out for heavy vehicles and machinery) until you find a gate on your right. Despite a No Trespassing sign, this is the entrance; follow the path to the hide. For the No.4 Lagoon, retrace your steps, turn left, and take the next two left turns down an unsurfaced road to the Lagoon. Ensure you park carefully to avoid blocking the roads.

Northeast Derbyshire Moors

The area comprises Beeley Moor (SK290700); East Moor (SK290700); Brampton East Moor, Gibbet Moor (SK270760) and Harewood Moor (SK300670). Access is via A619 from the North or B5057 in the South. This large area is mainly heath and bog and largely treeless. The most productive area is adjacent to Arkwright Plantation and from Beeley Triangle to Slagmill Plantation. It is terrific for raptors and the usual moorland species. Matlock Forest`s focal point is Flash Lane (SK300590) and holds woodcock and nightjar. Barbrook Reservoir on Big Moor attracts many migrants to its waters edge as well as interesting wintering finches and buntings.

Padley Gorge

(Map reference; SK250790) This is where moorland gives way to deciduous woodland in the gorge. The easiest access is from Grindleford Railway Station just off the north side of the B6521 at Nether Padley. Spring is the best time to visit when migration is in full swing for Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Wood Warbler, woodpeckers, warblers, Tree Pipit, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel and Cuckoo.

Shiningcliff Wood

Accessed from the A6 Derby-Matlock Road, north of Ambergate, Shiningcliff Wood features a mix of deciduous trees and conifers along the River Derwent. In summer, look for Wood Warbler, Redstart, and Pied Flycatcher. In winter, the wood hosts a variety of thrushes and finches. It’s a great spot for nature enthusiasts and bird watchers throughout the year.

The Derbyshire Dales

This area is known as The White Peak, where the underlying carboniferous limestone forms a gentle landscape of rolling hills with some deep valleys. The fast-flowing clear rivers hold Dippers. The woodlands are ash and alders but on the top of the valleys, these are replaced by hawthorn scrub, gorse and broom. The most popular dales are Millers Dale (SK 1473); Monsal Dale (SK 1771); Cressbrook Dale (SK 1773) and Chee Dale (SK 1273).

The Upper Derwent Valley and Dams

(Map Reference; SK170890) This impressive area is easily reached via the A57 (Snake Pass) some 10 miles from Chesterfield, 16 miles from Sheffield and Manchester and is very popular with large numbers of visitors especially in the summer. The main features for birders are the Ladybower, Derwent and Howden Reservoirs. The reservoirs are deep with steep sides and the valley sides are mainly larch and pine, with some remnants of old oak woodland. Above the plantations the slopes are generally grassland and mixed heather. The area is known as the Dark Peak because of blackness of the peat and the weathered grit stone. The main attraction for birders is Windy Corner overlooking the Derwent valley sides and Howden Reservoir for passing or thermalling raptors or by following the footpath at Kings Tree onto the open moorland.

Williamthorpe Ponds Nature Reserve

(Map Reference; SK430660) Close to a large industrial complex the largest of the three ponds is surrounded by phragmites and sports an impressive bird list. It was reclaimed from colliery workings and has woodland and meadow too. It is good for many species but the large pond has many water edge specialties and holds the largest colony of reed warblers in the county.

Tittesworth Water

Off Buxton Road (A53), Meerbrook, Leek, Staffordshire (ST13 8SW), Tittesworth Water in the beautiful Staffordshire Moorlands offers a variety of activities and facilities. Open daily from 7:30 am, with the Visitor Centre opening at 10:00 am (except Christmas Day) and closing times varying seasonally. The site features a children’s play area, refreshment kiosks, a sensory garden, bird hides, walking trails, grassy areas, an undercover BBQ area, and picnic tables. The Visitor Centre includes a redesigned shop, an 80-seater restaurant serving meals and snacks throughout the day, and award-winning toilets with disabled and baby-changing facilities. It also provides easy access for disabled visitors, with designated parking and wheelchair-accessible picnic tables and play equipment.

Carsington Water

Carsington Water is situated 12 miles northwest of Derby and 4 miles northeast of Ashbourne, set in the countryside on the edge of the Peak District. It is surrounded by pasture with hedgerows of hawthorn and mature woodlands & younger plantation. The northern area of the reservoir is a wildlife zone with limited access. The rest of the reservoir is used for sailing, angling, and other water sports.