Nestled amongst the peaceful agricultural landscape of Rufford, Mere Sands Wood is a true wildlife haven, owned and managed by the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside.

Spring and summer see new life bloom in the form of marsh orchids and broad buckler fern, while the air buzzes with dragonflies and birdsong. Keep your eyes peeled for species like bullfinches, tree sparrows, great spotted woodpeckers and even sparrowhawks as they fly to and from their nests in the woodland. If you are lucky you may spot the rare willow tit, and if you take a seat in one of the lakeside hides you may even see great crested grebes performing their elaborate courtship ritual.

Autumn and winter mark the arrival of overwintering birds like charming teal, handsome pintail and comical shoveler. Other water birds like little grebes, kingfisher, goosander and bittern have all drawn crowds in recent years, while the lakes and reedbeds also support water rail, reed buntings, goldeneye, pochard, gadwall and more. In all, over 170 bird species have been seen on the reserve, and 60 are known to have bred.

But Mere Sands Wood isn’t just a birder’s paradise – mammal-lovers will relish the opportunity to try and spot roe deer, stoats and foxes as they creep through the broadleaved and conifer woodland. A mature Scots pine plantation supports a small population of red squirrels, while water voles inhabit the ditches bordering the neighbouring arable land.

A mosaic of habitats including heaths and sandy, wet meadows encourages an impressive array of plants to flourish. Wildflowers like marsh helleborine, golden dock, yellow bartsia and lesser centaury add stunning splashes of colour, while the pink hues of common spotted, early and southern marsh orchids contrast beautifully with buttery yellow-wort.