Idle Valley Nature Reserve, Nature reserve in Retford, United Kingdom.
Idle Valley Nature Reserve is a nature reserve in Nottinghamshire comprising lakes, wetlands, grasslands, and scrub habitats. These diverse environments support many bird species that can be observed throughout the year in varying populations.
The landscape was once industrial quarries before transforming into a nature reserve. The Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust established the reserve in 2014 to restore the site and protect wildlife habitats.
The Rural Learning Centre runs educational programs and nature workshops that help visitors connect with local conservation efforts. These activities invite people to learn about wildlife and become involved in protecting the reserve's ecosystems.
Four marked walking routes guide visitors through the reserve, with accessible paths near Belmoor Lake suitable for wheelchairs and strollers. Most areas are easy to reach and the site is open throughout the day for wildlife observation.
Beavers returned to the reserve in 2021 after being absent for 400 years. They inhabit a designated enclosure where they actively reshape the landscape through their natural building and engineering behaviors.
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