May 25 2023

Wildmoor Heath

Photo of a lovely view across an open landscape, with gorse bushes in the foreground. Opening out to heathland with scattered pine trees.
Click Image to Enlarge

I visited Wildmoor Heath on a beautiful weekday afternoon and what a treat! If the name ‘Wildmoor’ conjures up a little bit of wilderness, that’s exactly what you’ll find here. From broadleaf woodland to open heath, it’s all here. Especially interesting are the wet areas, where all sorts of bog plants thrive, and are fantastic places to look for dragonflies and damselflies. But it’s the large areas of open heather and gorse that need a special mention, as this is where my favourite birds choose to nest. You probably won’t see them, but they’re here. Nightjars lay low during the day, perfectly camouflaged. You won’t see or hear them unless you visit after dark!

These incredible birds arrive from Africa in May and will be here until September. You can help keep them, and other wildlife, safe by following a few simple requests. Please keep to the main paths, always pick up after your dogs and keep them on a lead. Because Nightjars nest right on the ground, they’re easily scared off and that’s why we say #PawsOnPathsPlease at this time of year. It’s not necessarily that dogs chase or even harm the birds, but if these sensitive birds are repeatedly scared off, they’ll eventually abandon their nests. One thing that may help is to remember that Nightjars don’t nest in trees, so if you keep to the woodland areas, you’ll be helping them by giving them space. If you’re here on a sunny day and you’re in the shade, you’re in the right place!

If you’d like to find out more about Nightjars and other heathland birds, we run regular twilight walks throughout the summer. Keep an eye on our ‘What’s On’ calendar for details.

Please do help us spread the word…by keeping to the main paths and helping to prevent fires, we’ll protect the birds and other wildlife, and help to keep this important part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area safe for future generations.

Good to know…

Find a free car park just off Crowthorne Road, Crowthorne, Berkshire RG45 7PW. What3Words: invent.pints.intervals.

Dogs on leads please.

Signs indicate when the cattle are grazing.

If you’re a regular dog walker and would like to try somewhere new, our top recommendations are Broadmoor Farm Meadows next to Crowthorne Rugby Club (1.4 miles), Ambarrow Court on the A321, Wokingham Road near Sandhurst (2.5 miles) and Shepherd Meadows on the A321, Marshall Road near Sandhurst (2.5 miles). Our ‘Greenspace on your doorstep’ pages have lots more options too.

If you’re interested in practical volunteering, both the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and Bracknell Forest Council run volunteer programmes and would be pleased to hear from you.

The heath is managed in two parts, one part by Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, the other by Bracknell Forest Council. Follow their links for more information about the heath and for contact details.

Wildmoor Heath gallery…

Photo of a sandy path running alongside an open area of heather where birds could be nesting.
Wildmoor Heath was one of the first parts of the Special Protection Area I got to know when I joined the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership in 2015.
Photo of a sandy path running downhill towards woodland.
On a spring afternoon, it’s a particularly lovely place for a walk. I’m particularly fond of it.
Photo of an area of open heather, with a few small birches, fringed with taller trees.
With its open areas of heathland…
Photo of a shady bench surrounded by trees and gorse bushes.
and shady vantage points.
Photo of a wooden boardwalk running alongside and interesting wetland area. A pine tree in the foreground.
And the superb boardwalk that runs along part of the south-eastern boundary is a fascinating and unique place.
Photo of a sign that warns "LIVESTOCK are currently in this paddock. Dogs must be kept on leads".
Signs warn you if grazing cattle are out and about.

Photo of one of our "Paws On Paths Please" signs. A black and white illustration of a bird flying up from its nest on the ground. Asks everyone to "Keep to main paths".
And we put up signs every season to remind everyone about the birds that nest here and ask for ‘Paws on Paths Please’.
Photo of one of our signs that's been ripped down.
Unfortunately many get torn down, which is a shame because there’s plenty of space for everyone.
Photo of pine woodland.
And there are large areas of woodland that aren’t suitable for ground-nesting birds, so it’s only the open heath that’s particularly sensitive.
Photo of an open area of low-growing heaths. With scattered pine and birch trees.
It’s the open areas of heather are where my favourite bird, the Nightjar, nests from May to September.
Photo of a sandy path running alongside an open area of heather where birds could be nesting.
By keeping to the main, well-worn paths, you’re helping to keep wildlife safe.
Photo of an area of heathland that has been cleared of vegetation.
You might notice areas that have been cleared or scraped, these provide great habitat for heathland creatures that depend on bare ground. A host of invertebrate species will benefit.

Photo of a small, green-leaved plant with tiny pinkish flowers.
Bilbury is found on many of the heaths we warden, though it’s not especially common. The little pink flowers will become mini-blueberries later in the season.
Photo of a wooden boardwalk running alongside and interesting wetland area
Thank you for reading and please enjoy your visits to this special place.

 

[Click on the images for the full size versions, and to see the captions for more information]

I took these photographs on my recent visit and all of our wardens visit Wildmoor Heath regularly. We’re there to spread the word about this special place and help visitors enjoy their visits without disturbing the wildlife. Please follow us on social media, we’d love to share more of the magic of heathland with you.

Thank you everyone 🙏

Sarah
Thames Basin Heaths Partnership

Pictorial messages for "Keep to main paths", "Prevent fires" and "Explore alternatives"

#PawsOnPathsPlease

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