Information walking trails around the reserve

Welcome to our new walking information trails around Tewkesbury Nature Reserve.

Project aim

This project aimed to create a new lively wildlife trail that encourages outdoor learning and healthy outdoor engagements around the reserve. With help from several specialists from the Environment Agency, FWAG, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Vincent Wildlife Trust alongside experts within the wider community, we have created twenty A5 panels containing information about wildlife, conservation, history and environmental management on the reserve. Tewkesbury Nature Reserve is a unique site, nestled between two housing developments and close to six primary schools, one comprehensive and one special school. It therefore has huge potential to be an outdoor classroom, introducing children and adults alike to the natural world, supporting learning and understanding. With urban areas expanding and technology advancing, we are becoming less -connected with nature. By encouraging outdoor learning, we hope to strengthen these connections and improve the health and wellbeing of the local community.

Walks

  1. Meadow walk: 1.1 miles, approximately 20 minutes (circular from car park)
  2. River walk: 2.6 miles, approximately 45 minutes (circular from car park including two hide visits)
  3. Swilgate walk: 3.3 miles, approximately 60 minutes (both walks combined)

Extra information – Navigation Key

  1. Reedbeds
  2. Dragonflies and damselflies
  3. Wildflower Meadow
  4. Butterflies
  5. Willow Management
  6. SuDS – Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
  7. River Character
  8. River Management
  9. Invertebrates
  10. Grazing
  11. Birds
  12. Bats
  13. Communities and TNR
  14. Flooding and the River Swilgate
  15. History and Heritage
  16. Hedgerows and Habitat Corridors
  17. Scrub Management
  18. Scrapes
  19. Invasive Species
  20. Wading Birds

Thank you

We would like to thank everybody within the Tewkesbury community for contributing towards this project. With community at the heart of what we do, it could not have happened without the support, feedback and knowledge from all sorts of experts. We hope you get to benefit from this wildlife trail as much as we enjoyed creating it, and learn about the significance of the nature reserve for the wildlife and community of Tewkesbury.

This trail was designed and developed by Hannah Barnikel, a student intern at University of the West of England, Bristol, in discussion with community members including the TNR Trustees and TNR Management Team. Extra information was then collated and formatted for the website by our Learning & Outreach Officer, Robyn Kinnersley. We would like to thank and acknowledge the following for their permission to use photographs: James Hargreave, Joanna Rutherford, Pat Barber, Geoff Gwatkin Maps, CD Productions and Gloucester Vale Conservation Volunteers.

General queries or to volunteer, email: info@tewkesburynaturereserve.org

Education enquiries, email: learning@tewkesburynaturereserve.org

For details on how to become a supporter, email: supporters@tewkesburynaturereserve.org

www.tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk

Instagram: @Tewkesburynr

Facebook: Tewkesbury Nature Reserve

Twitter: @TewkesburyNr

Extra information – content

1. Reedbeds
Listen to an audio version of the Reedbeds information post.
2. Dragonflies and damselflies
Listen to an audio version of the Dragonflies and damselflies information post.
  • Further dragonfly and damselfly information, including how to tell the difference between the two and current threats: WWT
  • Dragon fly and damselfly guide: Country file
  • Where else to see dragonflies and damselflies: The Wildlife Trusts

3. Wildflower Meadow
Listen to an audio version of the Wildflower Meadow information post.
  • How to create a wildflower meadow: RSPB
  • Why wildflowers matter: Grow Wild
  • Rapid assessment findings of wildflower species present on Tewkesbury Nature Reserve (2021) – where √ represents presence at sample point.

4. Butterflies
Listen to an audio version of the Butterflies information post.

The UK has 59 species of butterflies – 57 resident species of butterflies and two regular migrants – the Painted Lady and Clouded Yellow. Five species of butterfly have become extinct in the last 150 years. These are the Mazarine Blue, Large Tortoiseshell, Black-veined White, Large Copper and Large Blue. 

Recording and monitoring carried out by volunteers is vital for the conservation of butterflies and moths – how can you help? Click the link below, get your parent/guardian to sign up, by recording any butterflies you see, you can make a real contribution to their conservation.

Why don’t you build a butterfly hospital?

Conservation means creating chains of butterfly habitat across large areas of countryside. Improving and connecting land for wildlife is crucial to their survival. Why don’t you have a go at encouraging butterflies and other pollinators into your garden by planting wildflower seeds? The Butterfly conservation website have free activities and downloadable resources and video lessons.

5. Willow Management
Listen to an audio version of the Willow management information post.

6. SuDS – Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems
Listen to an audio version of the Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems information post.

7. River Character
Listen to an audio version of the River character information post.

8. River Management
Listen to an audio version of the River management information post.

9. Invertebrates
Listen to an audio version of the Invertebrates information post.

Invertebrates play an important role in river ecosystems and can act as an early warning of many kinds of environmental disturbance. Invertebrates are widely used in freshwater quality monitoring as there is evidence that links their species make-up and density to the quality of the environment. They spend a large part of their life cycles in prolonged contact with the water so can be reflective of environmental conditions over a long period of time. They are also easy to sample and identify, as well as being widespread and diverse.

  • More information about invertebrate classification: BBC Bitesize
  • Fresh water invertebrate identification guide: Imperial College London
  • Video on water quality monitoring by invertebrate species presence: Loughs Agency TV
  • Invertebrate presence survey results on Tewkesbury Nature Reserve from Gloucestershire Invertebrate Group (2011):

10. Grazing
Listen to an audio version of the Grazing information post.

11. Birds
Listen to an audio version of the Birds information post.

Did you know? There is an increased concern for curlew populations across the UK as they are internationally important. The UK has about a quarter of the world’s curlews breeding in the UK and we know that they are not doing very well elsewhere so these species are of high conservation priority. Let us know if you manage to spot a curlew on the reserve!

UK gardens cover around 433,000 hectares of land. That’s about three times the size of Greater London! Imagine all those gardens, back yards and balconies working together and helping nature to thrive. RSPB have provided 10 easy ways to help the nature that is on your doorstep! Why don’t you take a look? Click here.

  • Identify a bird: RSPB guide
  • Why we need birds: BirdLife International
  • Information about birds of conservation concern: RSPB
  • Bird box building instructions: RSPB
  • Bird survey results on Tewkesbury Nature Reserve (2014-15) – where R = Resident, SV = Summer visitor, WV = Winter visitor, PM = Passage migrant and O = Occasional:
12. Bats
Listen to an audio version of the Bats information post.

13. Communities and TNR
Listen to an audio version of the Communities and TNR information post.

There are lots of opportunities to get involved with as part of our Green Lung Project. Click here to find out more.

If you have any questions please get in touch with learning@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk or to volunteer email info@tewkesburynaturereserve.org.uk.

14. Flooding and the River Swilgate
Listen to an audio version of the Flooding and the River Swilgate post.

15. History and Heritage
Listen to an audio version of the History and heritage information post.

16. Hedgerows and Habitat Corridors
Listen to an audio version of the Hedgerows and habitat corridors information post.

17. Scrub Management
Listen to an audio version of the Scrub management information post.
  • More information on scrub and its management: RSPB
  • Scrub, its value for wildlife and how to manage it: Kent Wildlife Trust

18. Scrapes
Listen to an audio version of the Scrapes information post.

19. Invasive Species
Listen to an audio version of the Invasive species information post.

20. Wading Birds
Listen to an audio version of the Wading birds information post.
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