Wildlife Watching
Wildlife love Nene Park just as much as people do and there are so many places and ways to see the many species that make their homes here. Did you know that we recorded a whopping 510 different wildlife species spotted across the Park in 2025?
Bird Hides
There are two bird hides in Ferry Meadows overlooking Ham Mere. During dry spells the mere does dry out but at Heron Hide there is a bird feeder so you are guaranteed sightings. On the walk to the hides you may be lucky and see a Kingfisher or a Heron.
Sand Martin Nesting Box
Sand martins hadn’t bred in the Park for years so we decided to give them a bit of encouragement. Now the nesting box, located on Lynch Lake in Ferry Meadows has annual full occupancy of breeding sand martins. Look out for them swooping overhead and listen out for the high pitched buzzing sound they make between March to October.
Viewing Platforms
There are two viewing platforms overlooking Heron Meadow and one overlooking Goldie Meadow. These are great places to stand and look over the restored water meadows and look out for a wide range of wintering birds such as snipe, egret, wigeon, gadwall and shoveler. We also have a new viewing platform at Gunwade Lake overlooking the new reedbed – another great place to spot feeding birds and ducks taking advantage of the shallow waters here. The viewing platforms are wheelchair accessible.
Tern Rafts
On Overton Lake you can see some floating platforms. These are nesting rafts for terns. Since installing these over the last few years, we have seen the tern population increasing in the Park.
Along the River
Keep an eye out for a flash of blue and orange as a kingfisher whizzes by or even an otter splashing in the water. Take a walk along our peaceful riverside boardwalk to see butterflies or dragonflies in spring.
