Nestling between the villages of Shrivenham and Watchfield, Tuckmill Nature Reserve combines meadow, dry and marshy grassland, hedgerow and streamside fen. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) since 1975, the L-shaped site is the habitat for a huge variety of flora and fauna, as well as several species that are very unusual in the region. Discover more about Tuckmill, what to look for when you visit, and how you can help to preserve and enhance the biodiversity of this wildlife haven.
"Tuckmill Meadows contains an exquisite combination of streamside fen, meadow, woodland, hedgerows and flora-rich limestone grassland."
Oxford Conservation Volunteers
A rare plant found at Tuckmill is the southern marsh orchid which grows largely along the upper reaches of Ratcoombe Brook. Other species include water forget-me-not, water mint, marsh marigold, yellow iris, ragged robin, cowslip and salad burnet. There are thousands of insects with many rare species of note; mammals including bats, badgers, moles, foxes, muntjacs and other deer; and birds such as reed warblers and the lesser whitethroat. Aquatic animals also abound including a variety of newt types, frogs, otters and water vole. Click below to see a bat survey of the site and check out our 'Wildlife' page to see videos of recent badger and muntjac activity.
Lesser Whitethroat by Margaret Andrews
Click here to discover some of the most uncommon visitors to the site and here for how to record the species you see when you visit.
Friends of Tuckmill was established in October 2021 to work with the owners of the site, the Vale of White Horse District Council, to help restore the reserve after a period of about four years when it was largely neglected. Click here to find out what management and restoration of Tuckmill is being carried out and here for how you can support Friends of Tuckmill.