Bestwood Country Park.

[k.k.stevenson1]

Bestwood Country Park is situated about five miles north of Nottingham.The park comrises 600 acres in three distinct areas. Woodland-250acres-an area of mixed secondary woodland on an ancient woodland site .A management regime is in place to woodlands. Open grasslands-200acres-an area of grassland with scrub edges and a area of marshy scrub on top of the old pit. Mill lakes and meadows-150acres an area of water through which the River Leen runs which also includes a small reed bed. Access 24hours a day Numerous tracks and trails to explore. Access for vehicles is Car park 1 at SK572464. TOreach this car park turn off Oxclose Lane into Queens Bower Road.Take the first right Bestwood Lodge Hotel.Car park 2 at AK555476.This car park is situated at the Winding House and is located by turning off Moor Road(B683)into Park Road in bestwood Village .Continue up Park Road for about half a mile and the car is on the right hand side BIRDS The Park as all the woodland and grassland birds you might expect in such habitats including all three woodpeckers.

[Swift]

This is a quite a good spot to go birding in , combine it with a visit to Mill Lakes.

[k.k.stevenson1]

Yes and The Big wood.For more info contact Mark Gash or Bob moody (Rangers). The Rangers Office Alexandra Lodges Bestwood Country Park Northern Drive Bestwood Village Nottingham NG68UH.01159273674. Ken

[mooskibaby]

I take it you get good birds here then because of the good habitat. Is this true? I may take a ride up there in the next few weeks if the weather brightens up a bit.

[k.k.stevenson1]

Hi Anna. Bestwood Park as every thing Woods Fields and a Lake.I think you will like it.Not been down recently not been very well. but on the mend.So i will get down soon.

[mooskibaby]

Hi Ken. Hope you get better soon.

Do you know what birds you can get there? - I have never been before so i don't know.

[Ben M]

Hi Ken. Hope you get better soon.

Do you know what birds you can get there? - I have never been before so i don't know.

Hi Anna,

Bestwood Country Park is my local patch... it has a wide range of habitats in a relatively small area.

There are two web pages on Notts Birders that cover the site, but they're a bit out of date in terms of what you're likely to find:

http://www.nottsbirders.net/bestwood.php
http://www.nottsbirders.net/bestwoodmilllakes.php

I've put some details of my visits in the Notts Birding thread on BirdForm, but barely anyone uses the thread at present, so I haven't bothered much:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=69383

You can also see my 2007 year list (see link in my signature), but the more experienced birders are about 10-20 species up on me this year ;)

Finally, a comprehensive bird report for 2006 is available from the rangers' office within the park for a small fee.

Reply or PM me if you want any specific details |=)|

[christineredgate]

Ken,I used to live on the outskirts of Bestwood Country Park-Rees Gardens-,then later when I married,Barry,--Stacey Ave.We used to walk the dogs through the woods every day.Lots of Woodies and Jays,a veritable birders paradise.Good luck with your birding.