Part of the nature reserves series
Mill Stream is a local nature reserve running along the boundary between Rushmere St Andrew and Foxhall Heath, starting from Rushmere Golf course and running through to Foxhall Road dip, opposite the Nuffield Hospital. I started from the Brendon Drive access parking my bike there – there is no car parking for this local nature reserve, and followed the Jubilee path marker 12
There’s some interesting local history – the large Oak trees mark the boundary between the parishes.
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Goldfinch flock feeding near the old shooting range
Further towards Bixley there was a Boer War/WW1 shooting range, with the large sandbank there to catch any stray projectiles. Apparently brave souls hoisted targets above the wall that gave them some protection.
Robin, with long-tailed tits flock at the start
The reserve is surprisingly quiet, particularly at the northern end, though you’re never that far away from human habitation here.There are some muddy parts to the path where it runs close to the stream, particularly at the Rushmere common end.
It gets noisier towards the Foxhall Road Dip – the path does carry on across the road but it’s a fast road and visibility is dreadful.
This was a pleasant little gem – I’d driven past the Foxhall Road dip many times for years without knowing this was here
Sightings
If I will show up at noon I’m not going to see/hear that much 😉
- Robin
- Blue Tit
- Great Tit
- Blackbird
- Dunnock
- Starling
- Jay
- Magpie
- Goldfinch
- long-tailed Tit
- Chaffinch
- Woodpigeon
Info
Parking: none
dogs: present. Should be on leads according to the leaflet to avoid disturbing the wildlife
condtions: mostly dry but some parts were muddy across the width of the path. You don’t need wellies but decent walking boots help.
Other resources
- Mill Stream LNR PDF
- The Jubilee walk PDF is informative