Saltwells Nature Reserve is a huge area of varied habitat linked with many wildlife corridors that connect it to the wider urban area and countryside. This means that many different plants grow here and hundreds of species of animals live or move through Saltwells. Indeed, at the last count, 1,588 species have been seen in the nature reserve.

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Saltwells is perhaps most famous for its bluebells. This is no surprise as it has the largest woodland in the borough, much of which is ancient and covered in mature oak. Along with the huge carpets of bluebells are many species of woodland wildlife including birds such as nuthatch and jay and the rarely seen purple hairstreak butterfly. In the autumn many species of fungi can be found including the bright red scarlet elf cup and fly agaric.

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There are also large areas of grassland which are home to our herd of Exmoor ponies. These help manage the grassland to ensure the wildflowers continue to flourish. We have at least four species of grassland orchids whose populations are increasing well. Other stunning flowers include betony and Devil’s-bit scabious. Along with these are several species of brightly coloured waxcap fungi. Flying about the flowers are the iconic marbled white and the stunning green hairstreak butterflies.

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We also have a lot of young woodland, hedgerows, scrub and even the odd patch of heathland. These are home for many birds to raise young or seek shelter including linnet, stonechat and whitethroat. It is also home to the bright yellow brimstone butterfly. These small trees also provide a huge amount of spring blossom and winter berries which are fed on by bumblebees, birds and mammals.

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Streams and a canal wind their way in and out of the nature reserve. There are also many pools and swampy areas which are home to many species of dragonfly. The blue male broad-bodied chaser zooming around, defending its territory, is always an impressive sight, however there are also much less common species, including the black-tailed skimmer, which are harder to spot. If you wait long enough you may well see a frog, grey heron or even a snipe.

Soaring over all this one million square metre tapestry of habitats are ravens and buzzards who can often be heard flying high in the sky.