Warburg Nature Reserve
📍 Bix Bottom, Nr Henley on Thames, RG9 6BL
🌿 Nature Reserve
💷 Free
📅 Always open
⌚️Half - full day out
📣 Bluebells, orchids, butterflies, voles, grass snakes, sparrowhawks, owls, deer.
🚗 Parking available. Road to get there can be bumpy.
🚌 Bus to Nettlebed then walk
👣 1 mile suggested wildlife walk.
☕ Toilets, no cafe
August 2026 · Nature Adventures · Nature Reserves
A full day out in majestic Chilterns landscape at this wonderful BBOWT reserve spotting finches and voles in the hide, deer and buzzards out of it.
Warburg is one of those special reserves that it’s worth getting up early for. We got a bus to Nettlebed at the crack of dawn, and walked 15 minutes to the edge of the reserve, heading straight to the hides near the visitor centre, getting there by 8 for our best chance of seeing some elusive birds.
The dawn chorus was strong. Before we even got to the hides we’d heard Jays, coal tits and nuthatches. We then spent a lovely couple of hours visiting the hides. Using the guides behind us we identified nuthatches, great spotted woodpecker, gold crest, pheasants, coal tits. As well as some beautifully posing wrens, blue tits, great tits, goldfinches and a teeny vole darting in and out of the undergrowth.
We went back to the hides again a bit later and were fortunate enough to spot some hawfinches, and also get chatting to some others who’d just seen a muntjac, and a grass snake nearby. The hides can get very busy, with long queues especially at weekends, so go in the school holidays if you can for lots of pressure free hide time.
We loved the visitor centre. There's lots of tangible natural exhibits to marvel at, as well as places to write what you’ve spotted. There’s also toilets. No cafe, but a nice picnic area. While you’re there, keep an eye out for common lizards and grass snakes.
We followed the 1 mile wildlife walk through stunning undulating woodland and grassland, keeping an eye out for little mice, owls and sparrowhawks that we know nest there. I think really wanted to see some great orchids and butterflies. Warburg is a great place to try and spot rarer species like the fly orchid, but going late in August after lots of heatwaves and droughts, wasn't the right time.
We looked up the red kites and buzzards circling, and we looked down at the wildflowers still clinging on despite the drastic lack of rain. Little Leopard stopped to fiddle around in his bag, the exact moment when a small group of roe deer came rushing across the path behind him.
We spent nearly 7 hours on the reserve looking out for all the wonderful wildlife there. I imagine in winter months then paths can get quite muddy and walking boots/ wellies are advised. I'd love to come back here in autumn when the valley is covered in magnificent red, yellow, and orange.
Little Leopard loved getting a photo of these pheasants, just after he'd found some feathers on a nearby path, as well as seeing a hawfinch. I loved getting to know nuthatches a little more, listening to their calling that sounds so much (to me anyway) like a drip drip, and watching them climb down the trees head first. What a little legend.
There are nature detective packs that the children can borrow from the visitor centre. The paths are wonderfully maintained, there are lots of benches to rest, and some steeper paths to climb if you fancy a little challenge. It's free, but if you're able to leave a donation then you can do so at the car park, supporting the wonderful work that BBOWT are doing here. (I'd also advise becoming a member, it's a lovely community to belong to.)
If you do find yourself with some spare time and want some other adventures nearby, Henley would be a great option, along with the beautiful woods at Lambridge wood, or seeing the deer at nearby Stonor Park.
Nature Notes
Nuthatch
Nuthatch
The little bird that climbs headfirst
Nuthatches are one of the few British birds that can climb down tree trunks headfirst.
Their strong feet and sharp claws help them grip the bark as they search for insects hiding in cracks.
They also eat nuts and seeds, often wedging them into cracks in tree bark before hammering them open with their strong bills.
Nuthatches have blue-grey backs, warm orange-brown chests and a distinctive black stripe through their eyes.
They can make surprisingly loud calls for such a small bird, often announcing themselves with a sharp, ringing sound.
Unlike woodpeckers, nuthatches don't use their tails for support when climbing trees.
They usually stay in the same woodland territory throughout the year, so if you find a good patch of mature trees, you may spot one on more than one visit.
Hawfinch
The woodland bird with a mighty beak
Hawfinches are shy birds that spend much of their time high in the trees, so they can be tricky to spot.
Their huge, powerful bills can crack open hard seeds and stones that would defeat most other birds.
They particularly enjoy the seeds of hornbeam, beech and cherry trees.
Hawfinches have warm brown bodies, a black bib and a striking blue-grey patch on their wings.
They have incredibly strong jaw muscles for their size, allowing them to exert an enormous force with their bills.
They often live in mature woodland with plenty of large trees, but may also visit parks, churchyards and old gardens.
Purple Hairstreak
The butterfly that lives in the treetops
Purple hairstreaks spend much of their lives high in the canopy of oak trees, so they're surprisingly easy to miss.
The males have beautiful purple-blue markings on their wings, but you usually only get a glimpse when the light catches them.
They rarely come down to ground level, making them one of Britain's trickier butterflies to spot.
Their caterpillars feed mainly on oak leaves and flowers, while the adult butterflies feed on honeydew produced by aphids.
Purple hairstreaks have a distinctive pair of tiny orange spots and little tails on their hindwings, which can make the back of the butterfly look like a second head.
They are most often seen from June to August, fluttering around the tops of oak trees.
A glorious full day out in stunning scenery spotting finches, voles, looking out for orchids, butterflies, snakes and lizards.
Address: Bix Bottom, Nr Henley on Thames, RG9 6BL
Parking: Car Park available. Road to get there might be tricky for low cars.
Public Transport: 20 minute walk from the bus stop in Nettlebed
Opening Hours: Always open
Entry Fee: Free
Website: bbowt.org.uk
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