Short birdwatching visit · Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
Woodside Nature Reserve
- Tier
- Good stop nearby
- Best season
- Summer for meadow wildlife; individual bird seasons are unstated
- Headline birds
- Barn Owl · Skylark · Kestrel
- Parking
- Use charged county-council parking at Mapperley Reservoir or Shipley Country Park. The pin marks the published Mapperley car-park reference.
- Hides
- A viewing tower off the Nutbrook Trail overlooks the landscape.
- Step-free
- Many paths can suit wheelchairs, but the Trust cautions that distance from parking and ground conditions affect access.
Shipley, near Ilkeston
Woodside is a restored former colliery landscape beside Shipley Country Park, with meadows, woodland and small wetlands. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust lists Skylark, Kestrel and Great Spotted Woodpecker among its birds. A network of paths links the reserve with the Nutbrook Trail, and a viewing tower offers an overview of the wider landscape. This is a substantial countryside walk rather than an isolated park pond. Visitors arrive through the adjoining county-park paths, with the distance from parking and variable ground affecting the practical route to the watching areas.
Birds and seasons
- Barn Owl · Headline bird — Season not stated by the source Source for Barn Owl
- Skylark · Headline bird — Season not stated by source Source for Skylark
- Kestrel · Headline bird — Season not stated by source Source for Kestrel
- Great Spotted Woodpecker — Season not stated by source Source for Great Spotted Woodpecker
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- A viewing tower off the Nutbrook Trail overlooks the landscape.
- Paths
- There are several walking options across the reserve and adjoining country park, linked to the Nutbrook Trail. Path conditions vary.
- Toilets
- Not stated by the operator – check before travelling
- Parking
- Use charged county-council parking at Mapperley Reservoir or Shipley Country Park. The pin marks the published Mapperley car-park reference.
- Dogs
- Dogs must be on leads; cattle and ponies may graze the reserve year-round.
- Access notes
- Many paths can suit wheelchairs, but the Trust cautions that distance from parking and ground conditions affect access.
- Step-free access
- Many paths can suit wheelchairs, but the Trust cautions that distance from parking and ground conditions affect access.
Getting there: From Mapperley Reservoir car park follow the public country-park path network towards Woodside and the Nutbrook Trail. Alternatively arrive from Shipley Country Park. Use the Trust’s map to choose a route to the reserve.
Sources
Social preview: original typographic artwork by Does Your Duck Quack.
Nearby special trips
- Budby South Forest · 19.6 straight-line miles
- Eastern Moors · 22.1 straight-line miles
- Dearne Valley - Bolton Ings · 36.4 straight-line miles
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: Attenborough Nature Reserve, 7.6 miles away in a straight line.
- Erewash Meadows · 4.8 miles in a straight line
- RSPB shop at Carsington Water · 13.0 miles in a straight line
- Willington Wetlands · 13.3 miles in a straight line