Nature reserve 'struggling' due to wet weather

A popular nature reserve says the recent wet weather could have a concerning impact on the future of its wildlife.

The Attenborough Nature Reserve, near Beeston in Nottinghamshire, closed to visitors for two days earlier this week after footpaths in and around the park were flooded.

It comes as widespread flooding caused disruption in Nottinghamshire and across the East Midlands.

A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, which runs the site, says the team are preparing for "challenging" times ahead as difficult weather conditions continue.

The site closed to the public eight times due to weather conditions last year, and 10 times in 2023.

Erin McDaid, of Attenborough Nature Reserve, says it is "concerning" the site is dealing with another closure early into the new year.

"Weather like this used to be an exception, but now it's happening multiple times a year," he said.

"We are planning for the future, and looking at how we adapt the site to cope with the conditions."

Mr McDaid added the extreme weather could threaten some of the local wildlife.

"As the water rises, small mammals such as moles and shrews may get flooded out of their burrows and other habitats," he added.

"This has a knock-on effect on the animals that hunt them, like barn and short-haired owls. They'll have to find other places to hunt.

"We might start to see populations decline."

It is not just wildlife that is being impacted - when flooding forces the site to shut, the visitor centre and car park also closes, which Mr McDaid said was "harming" the park's income.

He added: "The reserve is free to access, so when our sources of revenue shut, it leaves us in a hard position.

"The hospitality sector is struggling at the moment, and we are dealing with those pressures on top of the frequent closures.

"We are a positive bunch here at the reserve but this issue is wearing on us - this is such a well-loved site, and we always want the public to access it."

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