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Please browse through the blog to look at the latest news from the reserve, including recent sightings of wildlife. Please click on the category tags at the top right corner of the blog to filter the blog posts for each wildlife type. To leave a comment or to like a post, please click on a blog post, where underneath you will see a comments section where you can post a comment. You will be prompted to register for free, if you have not already.
KINGS DYKE NATURE RESERVE **EVENT POSTPONED** Due to the current weather forecast for this weekend (wet!), we have unfortunately taken the decision to postpone the official BioBlitz event until later in the summer. If you still wish to visit the reserve, please feel free to do so and we will welcome your species records. The […]
On Wednesday 31st May 2023, we once again opened the gates to the public for yet another successful open day. A chance for visitors to come along and discover what is often referred to as a ‘hidden gem on our doorstep’. We still hear reports from those who were unaware of the reserve’s presence, hidden […]
Visitors to the reserve may now notice a change in the view from the bird hide! On Thursday, the team and some wonderful volunteers embarked on a mammoth task. The dismantling of the sand martin box, and its relocation to the island to the left-hand-side of the bird hide. Its original position on the boundary […]
On Monday 30th January 2023, the Kings Dyke team and our valued volunteers embarked on the first management day of the year. The task for the day was cutting the grass in the reptile meadow, to manage the thistles/nettles and ensure the area remains a tussocky, grassland, reptile haven. Grassland is usually managed in the […]
As we see in a new year, we are starting to make plans for events at the reserve! Each year, we hold volunteer work party day’s. These are spaced throughout the year and allow members to come along and get involved in annual management works, helping the team with different tasks. We meet down by […]
We are so fortunate that Kings Dyke Nature Reserve boasts a community of knowledge and vision within our membership base. A wealth of fauna expertise, amazing photography and nature inspired creativity. Warden/member Terry McKenna, recently shared his ‘quiet moments in the hide’ inspired poetry, on the KDNR Facebook page. Here is Terry’s poem, for all to […]
King’s (Queen’s) Dyke Nature Reserve (renamed for one day only) opened our gates for a day of ‘Royal Highness’ on Wednesday 1st June. A total attendance of 296 visitors (85 separate parties) joined in a day filled with fun for the whole family. (A further 27 people attended 2 brickworks tours and a nature reserve walk). The […]
We are excited to announce that for one day only, on Wednesday 1st June 2022, we will become Queen’s Dyke Nature Reserve! This is in honour of Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee . Queen Elizabeth II is the first British Monarch to celebrate 70 years of service. Opening at 10:00 until 17:00, we are offering […]
We are happy to announce that we are planning another Bioblitz at Kings Dyke Nature Reserve in May 2022! The event will commence at 6pm on Friday 6th May and will run until 6pm on Sunday 8th May 2022. We have never held a BioBlitz this early in the year before and are hoping that […]
Much to members delight, we are being thoroughly spoiled with more regular otter (Lutra lutra) sightings at Kings Dyke Nature Reserve. Historically, otter tracks have been noted on the reserve extension pre-2011. But it was in November 2013 when the first otter sighting was noted from the main hide, towards the back of the lake. […]
We are delighted to announce that the nature reserve re-opened to members on the 12th April. After battling the flooding for a couple of months, the main reserve paths are again passable, however there is still some flooding on the extension near the bunker which requires wellingtons to cross. This can be by circumnavigated by […]
This winter, the whole country has received unprecedented levels of rain and snow. This combined with Kings Dykes existing water level issues has resulted in the reserve flooding to the point that the paths are impassable, even with wellies. Therefore, we had to make the difficult decision to close the reserve until further notice. We […]
Just before Christmas we were able to restart the pump to reduce the water levels in the main mere, after connecting a new outlet. This was an exciting time with sinking boats, falling over and plenty of mud. First job on the list was to uncurl the 4 x 100 metre sections of pipe (each […]
The Autumn colours were in full force at Kings Dyke with vibrant reds provided by a male Lesser Redpoll and a few remaining common darters. Yellows and oranges were represented by the many tree’s starting to shed their leaves. With Winter on its way the reed warblers and Swifts fled the reserve in search of […]
With lockdown relaxed, members returned to the reserve. Thank you for all the sightings we received this year from member new and old. We received a full array of sightings from delicate butterflies to powerful Marsh harriers. Butterfly transects of the reserve revealed 14 plus butterfly species such as Essex skipper and Wall brown. This […]
The rising water levels over the winter has made a few changes to the reserve. The tern islands have been submerged and the feeders needed to be relocated from the front of the hide to the pond dipping area. Nature found its own way this year with the terns moving nesting spots, so we were […]
Spring 2020 was an unusual time; the hides and fossil area were shut and the gates locked. Even though we were only allowed 1 hour of exercise it didn’t deter our members from spotting some awesome sights. While not all the members could visit the reserve, plenty of throwback photos were posted so we were […]
Tuesday 28th May, Thursday 30th May & Saturday 1st June 2019 Midday to 6.00pm Download the latest flyer here
The reserve’s kingfisher has been very active over the past few weeks in front of the main hide. If you are a member of the reserve, make sure you get down there to catch a glimpse!
The Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi) was first spotted near the pond dipping platform on Saturday 25th August 2018, by member George Walthew. This is a new addition to the reserve’s species list. This species of spider is known to live predominantly along the south coast of England, although they are now establishing in habitats further northwards. […]
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