Hilton GP
 The pond-dipping platform |
 View north from the A50 |
 Orchid bed in winter |
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Map Reference: SK2431/SK2531 Click here for OS map OS Maps: Landranger Sheet 128, Explorer Sheet 259 Habitat Disused gravel pit with extensive pools and mixed woodland 
Dot shaded areas are water bodies, dotted lines are footpaths. Main access points are at A and B. A gate into the south side of the reserve is at point C. Note feeding station location in red Directions From Derby, take the A516 from Mickleover west past Etwall to the A50 junction at Hilton village. To enter the east side of the reserve, turn right at the first island onto Willow Pit Lane and then immediately left onto the old road next to the large white house. Park next to the gate and follow the track along the south side of the main pools. To enter the west side, follow the A516 into Hilton and take the first right at the cross roads opposite the pub. Follow the road to Sutton-on-the-Hill over the A50 and take the first right onto the old road. Follow the road and park at the end. The track into the reserve parallels the A50 and passes along the southern edge of the reserve to Willow Pit Lane as above. Several entrances off this track take you into the trees. Bus Details Trent V1 + V2 serve Hilton from Derby and Burton daily DOS Verdict A good site for the beginner with all the commoner species and plenty of other wildlife to see Facilities The site is owned by Good disabled access form the south track. Wellingtons are a must for the deeper recesses of the reserve in winter. Access all year. Please observe the footpath restrictions along the side of the lakes for your own safety - some of the banks are unstable and the pools are steep sided and very deep. There are no toilet facilites, but the village is close by. What to see Woodland species such as Jay and all three woodpeckers can be seen all year. In the autumn and winter, large mixed flocks of small birds can be seen and if you keep still, they will pass right over you at close range. Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits and especially Long-tailed Tits form the basis of these flocks with family groups of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler in the autumn and Treecreeper, Siskin and Goldcrest in the winter. Willow Tits can be found in the orchid bed areas and these may also join the roving passerine flocks. On the lakes, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Pochard and Wigeon are seen in the winter and there are two pairs of resident Great Crested Grebes. Canada Geese make themselves known during the breeding season and the main lake contains a tern raft where Common Terns have nested. Other species more difficult to see include Tawny Owl and Bullfinch - the latter can be found by listening for the quiet "pew pew" contact calls near the old rifle range. Search the overhanging vegitation around the main lake for Kingfisher. Recently, Buzzards have been spotted circling the reserve and Woodcock sometimes roost in the wooded areas adjascent to Willow Pit Lane. If you want to see the woodpeckers, January is best for Great Spotted and Lesser Spotted, both species will respond to tapping with a stick on a log. Early morning in April is best for Green Woodpecker. Hilton has at least three pairs of the delightful Willow Tit and provides a good chance of seeing the species if you have never seen it before. The feeding station is a good place to try or listen for the harsh "churr churr" calls elsewhere on the reserve. The site is also famous for the excellent display of orchids each summer in June and July with Tway Blade and Spotted (plus their hybrids) predominating (but watch out for the insects!). The site has a row of old native Black Poplars running through centre of the reserve south to north from the A50 out into the fields. There are several species of the more common dragonflies and damselflies and butterflies such as Orange Tip and Speckled Wood can also be seen. Great Crested Newts may still inhabit the new pools next to the south track. You may notice that there are many nest boxes attached to the trees and these are heavily used each year. However, less noticable are the bat boxes which can be seen near to the northern edges of the reserve. These are also well used by commoner bats such as Pipistrelle. |
