The Lyndon Visitor Centre
The centre lies down a narrow track leading from the minor road between Manton and Edith Weston on the south shore of the reservoir – look for the large Osprey sign. The view from the Visitor Centre is spectacular. Orchids bloom right outside and Tree Sparrows frequent the feeder in front of the windows.
The centre features our live Osprey camera as well as fantastic new displays looking at the relationship between weather and wildlife, with specific sections on weather, climate change and phenology. There is also lots of information on the Osprey project and the reserve in general and Osprey staff will be on hand to give you information about the Ospreys and to direct you down to Shallow Water hide.
Waderscrape And Shallow Water Hides
Waderscrape hide is a fifteen minute walk from the Lyndon Centre and has great views of the osprey nest. It also looks out over a small reedbed where a pair of breeding Water Rail will bring their chicks almost within touching distance of the hide. In addition, it has superb views of smaller reedbed birds such as Reed Buntings and Reed and Sedge Warblers. From March to September the hide is manned by our team of Osprey volunteers. They will make sure you get the best possible views of the Ospreys through our project telescopes, and will answer any questions you may have.
Shallow Water hide, a little further west, looks out across the shallowest part of Manton Bay to the Osprey nest. It is a twenty minute walk from the centre along the nature trail. In spring, Great Crested Grebes can be seen doing their elegant synchronised mating dance while Buzzard and Red Kite fly over the woods beyond the nest. Wildfowl swim in the bay in spring, and when the water levels fall in late summer, the area is taken over by wading birds feeding on the exposed mud. Both hides have full disabled access and a motorised buggy is available for hire.
The nature trail runs between the shore of the reservoir and the reserve’s traditionally managed hay meadows. There are three other hides accessible from the nature trail giving views of the reservoir and the chance to see a range of other birds such as kingfisher, water rail and a wide variety of wildfowl and waders. The hay meadows are full of wild flowers and in the summer they are teeming with butterflies, damselflies and day-flying moths.
