We're excited to be able to open some of our hides again from Monday (17 May)

Nightingale by Graham Osborne

We’re excited to be able to open some of our hides again for your visit! Here’s a summary:

Winpenny hide and Nettley’s hide will be open from Monday (17 May) from 10 am. West Mead hide and Little Hanger hide remain closed for now.

You’ll notice we’ve made a few changes to keep everyone safe:

• Seating is spaced out at 2m intervals, to allow for social distancing, we have clearly marked these. If you're entering as a household or bubble please sit together. Please do not stand behind or between benches occupied by others.
• We ask that all visitors, except those who are exempt from doing so, please wear a face covering in hides.
• You'll spot that we've got maximum numbers signposted at the entrance to the hides, so please consider the amount of time you dwell in them on busy days, to allow everyone the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful wildlife in safety here. If you arrive at the hide and it is full then please wait outside until someone moves on or call back to it later.

• We have opened up the windows to provide additional ventilation. To minimise contact, please leave them open.

• Please use the hand sanitiser provided on entry to the hides.

May is a fantastic month for spotting all sorts of wonderful wildlife; you may see some of our fabulous lapwings, redshank and even avocet from the hides as they are nesting and raising families on the wetlands. But at this time of year it is the hedgerows, scrub and woodland that are really at their finest – listen out for our nightingales, blackcaps, whitethroats and more. Fattengates courtyard is one of our favourite spots to pause and listen to birdsong.

We can’t wait to see you!