The Moors

Along Redhill Brook lies the 21 hectare wetland nature reserve known as The Moors. The Moors floods from the Redhill Brook during winter, and on occasions this creates one large lake, which the footpath crosses. You feel as if you are walking on water! This floodwater helps stop Redhill from flooding.

Ducks such as mallard and teal flock to feed on the flood. Moorhen and the shy water rail also creep through the waterside vegetation. Grazed grassland provides the right habitat for skylark and lapwing to nest. In autumn, snipe, and other waders, arrive for winter. They probe the soft ground with their long bills, searching for food.

In summer the pools are alive with small damselflies such as banded demoiselle, and bigger dragonflies like the southern hawker and emperor. They spend much of their life below water with other pond life like water scorpions, beetles and boatmen. Stickleback, washed in by the flood, provide food for kingfishers and grey herons.

Around the pools the flowers of yellow flag are followed by purple loosestrife and creamy meadowsweet, as well as sedges, rushes and bur reed – a favourite food of water voles. Listen out for their characteristic ‘plop’. On the drier meadows the yellow of cowslip and trefoil, and the white of oxeye daisy and yarrow attract feeding bees and butterflies.

Access to The Moors can be found via the public footpath from Cavendish Rd, Redhill or Cormongers Lane, Nutfield.  The nearest car park is found in Mercers Country Park, off Nutfield Marsh Rd, Nutfield.

Download The Moors reserve leaflet here.

Download The Moors site board here.