Wildlife
What wildlife will you see
Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), The Blue Pool Nature Reserve is a sanctuary for a rich variety of flora and fauna. Within the grounds of The Blue Pool and the expansive Furzebrook Estate, wildlife thrives in its natural habitat.
Wildlife
Discover the shy Dartford Warblers perched among the yellow flowering gorse and the rare Green Sand Lizards basking on the sandy banks. Magnificent dragonflies hover over the lilies, while sika deer move silently through the rhododendron thickets to gather among the birch groves. Wild squirrels keep a watchful eye on the buzzards circling overhead, and you may even catch a glimpse of a secretive badger or a majestic White-Tailed Eagle soaring above. Explore the beauty and biodiversity that make The Blue Pool Nature Reserve a true haven for nature lovers.
Sika Deer
One of six species of UK deer. Marsh and heathland. Stags grow up to 80kg. Arguably the most hardy of all deer species.
Badger
Live underground in setts, short legged omnivore. Wide bodies and short legs for digging. Grow to around 90cm.
White Tailed Eagle
Now a hotspot for White-tailed Eagle activity. Seen high in the skies over the Furzebrook Estate.
Buzzard
Breeding in every county of the UK. High flying bird or prey. Numbers have quadrupled since 1970.
Hobby
A small falcon and Summer visitor from Africa. Prolific hunter of dragonflies taking them in flight.
Woodlark
Its beautiful song makes up for its drab plumage. Nesting in grass tussocks and heather.
Sundew
A carnivorous pant which feeds on small flies attracted by its sticky ‘dew’ on hair like stems.
Dartford Warbler
A small, dark brown bird, with a long tail, a distinctive red eye-ring and a cherry-red breast.
Grey Squirrel
Indigenous to North America now common throughout the UK. A real nuisance but great fun to watch.
Owls
Tawny Owl medium size, commonly found in woodland. Round head, large dark eyes and hooked beak… & very wise!
Sand Lizard (green)
One of Britain’s rarest and endangered reptiles – the Furzebrook Estate holds 4% of the entire UK population.
Pine Marten
One of Britain’s rarest mammals, extremely elusive and now hiding on the Furzebrook Estate.
Nightjar
Nocturnal, feeding on moths, flies and beetles. Amazingly well camouflaged the nightjar is most easily spotted at dusk.
Green Tiger Beetle
A speedy predator, the Green Tiger Beetle hunts ants and caterpillars. Beautiful metallic colour.
Marsh Gentian
A rare wild flower found on heathland and bogs. Now growing in number due to our conservation grazing.
“Lowland heath is often mistakenly represented as a bleak and baron habitat when in fact the opposite is true. Showing off a beautiful palette of colour and unique life throughout the year especially in the Spring and Summer, this diverse and nationally important habitat is one which we, here at the Furzebrook Estate, are fortunate enough to be custodians. With continued careful management, this dynamic mosaic of ecosystems will continue to improve for all to enjoy.”
Dan Rushton – Resident Wildlife Expert