A Visit to Willington Nature Reserve.

The views and opinions in this blog are mine and mine alone. Detiails are recalled to the best of my ability 

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As an avid amateur wildlife photographer I really enjoy grabbing my camera, attaching a long lens (500mm) and heading off to one of our local nature reserves.

As I write this blog the UK is coming out of its second lock down and into a tier system due to the Corona Virus global pandemic. In Derbyshire we've been very lucky in that the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust have done their best to ensure that our local nature reserves have remained open so that we can all get out and enjoy them.

One of my favourite nature reserves is Willington Gravel Pits in the village of Willington near Derby.  Operated and maintained by the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, Willington has pretty much everything for the wildlife photographer and nature lover alike.

Map of the Reserve

As the name suggests, the reserve used to be a working sand and gravel quarry. The huge depressions made in the land due to excavation have since filled with water and after the working company abandoned the site it became a nature reserve.  The reserve consists trails and paths, wetlands, lagoons and lakes, Viewing areas and stages, and a wonderful bird hide. Sadly at the time of writing the bird hide, like many others across the country, is locked until the pandemic is under control.

The reserve is situated south east of the village of Willington on the main Repton road. The main entrance and car park is on the right as you leave Willington just before the bridge over the River Trent. (Indicated by the green circle on the map). The car park is accessed by entering a small triangular shaped junction and through an entrance with a barrier over the top. The car park isn’t very big and can get quite crowded especially at the weekends and during the summer months. Alternative parking can be found on Kingfisher Lane (indicated by the red line) which is a few hundred yards before the main entrance. This is a residential area so please park with care in this area.

The purpose of this blog entry is to take you on a visit to the reserve and let you see what's there and what you can see there. It is worth noting that the reserve can get very muddy and some of the paths are quite narrow and rough so Wellington boots or sturdy walking boots are recommended. Also recommended is a good pair of binocular because even on quiet days there are a lot of things to see.    

In my opinion the reserve naturally splits into two distinct areas. First there is the flat land area. Here you can explore the many footpaths, lagoons and pools and also take in the views towards Repton and Burton on Trent. Then there is main pathway (indicated by the amber line on the map)  taking you from the main car park past the various viewing platforms and up to the bird hide and the last platform beyond. There is no circular walk via the main path. Once you’re at the end the only way is back from whence you came. There are plans to possibly introduce a circular pathway in the future but at the time of writing this hasn’t happened.

Access from Kingfisher Lane

Personally I like to visit the reserve by parking in Kingfisher Lane, making my way across the flat land to join the main path. From there I walk up to the last viewing platform on the lane taking in all of the other viewing platforms as I go. I tend to spend a good 30 to 40 minutes at each platform because you just never know what’s going to turn up. So a visit normally takes a good 2 to 3 hours.

Starting in Kingfisher Lane proceed west following the yellow line on the map. The path passes to the left of the lamp post between the wooden fences. At the end of the lane there is a gate. Pass to the left of the gate and take note of the Kingfisher pool to the left. There is usually plenty of activity on the pool. Moorhens, Coots, swans and the occasional Kingfisher can be seen here.

Kingfisher Pool

Having passed through the gate continue on the path in front of you for a few hundred yards. At this point you can glance left and see the steeple of St Wystans Church in Repton rising up. This makes a very atmospheric photo if there’s a bit of mist about. Continue along the lane surrounded by tall trees and bushes on both sides. Here you’ll find many species of butterfly in the summer.

St. Wystans Church in Repton

Just before a metal farm gate take the path to the left heading South-East. The path descends very slightly and to the left there is a lagoon. The water levels vary in this lagoon and can, if there’s been heavy rain, rise above the path at times.  The lagoons in this parts of the reserve are noted for the myriad of damsel flies and dragonflies during the summer months. Whilst walking the path remember  to look up from time to time and  note the bird activity in the trees around you.

Turn left at this gate 

Path

Lagoon

Dragonfly on the Lagoon

Dragonfly on the Lagoon

As you walk this part of the path you will see one of the larger lagoons on the right behind some gates. This is part of the many conservation areas in the reserve but swans and other water birds are easily visible if in residence.  The path continues into an open area with a steel farm gate on the right. In the distance, with a good pair of binoculars, you can see Bladon Castle nestling in the trees in Newton Solney. 

View towards Newton Solney

Bladon Castle

At this point there are paths leading off in many directions all of which can be explored. On this journey you’ll continue South East following the yellow line on the map. Now pass through more tall trees and bushes that are full of butterflies in the summer.

Butterfly

Butterfly

At this point you will reach several large stone blocks placed here to prevent vehicular access to flat lands from the main path.

Concrete blocks heading to the main path

Before passing through the blocks take time to look right at the small pond through the metal gate. Heron and Egret often use this pond and it can provide excellent photo opportunities. 

Pond over the gate 

Now pass though the concrete blocks on to the main path that comes up from the car park to the left. This path can be exceptionally muddy so care needs to be taken here.  In front of you there are metal gates. This is the entrance to the Willington Trout Fishery.

Turn right at this point and begin walking up the main path. In a few yards you’ll come to a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust sign welcoming you to the reserve. 

Sign to the left of the main path

Continue past the sign and follow the path to the first viewing platform. From the top of this platform you look North West over the main wetlands. It’s impossible to count all of the different species of bird that can be seen from the viewing platforms within the reserve. The first platform quite often has Heron, Mallards, Lapwings and Gulls.

First Platform

View from the first platform

Heron at the First Platform

Once you’ve spent some time at this platform drop back on to the lane and head in the same direction to the second and third platforms. All the time keeping a sharp eye in the trees and bushes on both sides of the path for smaller birds such as sparrows, tits, black caps, bramblings, etc. 

Crested Grebe

Chiff Chaff

Once again spend some time at each of the platforms as each one offers a different view over the wetlands. Take special note of the reed beds in front of you. Many reed based birds live here including warblers and buntings. At all times respect the other visitors to the reserve especially those set up on the viewing platforms looking for specific birds. 

Second Platform

View from the second Platform

Reed Bunting

Hobby

Third Platform

View from the Third Platform

Water Rail

As you approach the top of the main path you’ll note the bird hide on the right. As I said earlier, at this point in time the hide is locked because of the global pandemic but hopefully it will be open again as the virus is brought under control.

Bird Hide (Closed at the time of writing)

Passing the hide on the right it’s only a short walk to the last viewing platform (Platform 4) on the path. From this platform there is a fantastic view North West across the main lagoon. This is a haven for any bird enthusiast. All types of water bird can be seen here including Lapwings, Heron, Egrets, Black headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Bitten, Shag, etc. 

Fourth Platform

View from the Fourth Platform

Lapwing

Cormorant

There are quite often ornithologists set up with spotting scopes trained on the islands looking for the latest elusive sighting. Spend some time on this platform and try to count the number of different species you can see.

For now Platform four is as far as you can go along the main path. Beyond this platform is conservation area and is only accessible to Wildlife Trust staff. 

Conservation Area beyond platform four. 

So from here it’s a case of turning around and making you way back along the path retracing your steps back to where you started. As you walk back remember to call in at each of the viewing platforms again as, quite often, different birds will have arrived since you were last there.  

After you’ve finished your visit to the reserve you can drop into Willington to one of the pubs, shops or restaurants. You’re also only a stones throw away from the Trent and Mersey Canal which can be accessed from behind The Dragon pub and the River Trent so there’s plenty more to see if you have the time.