A small snake with black and yellow patterns slithers through dirt, leaves, and grass in a natural outdoor setting.

Wildlife at Walkmill

Walkmill is a fantastic place to spot wildlife. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just enjoy a quiet stroll, there’s plenty to discover here throughout the year. From birds and butterflies to bats and adders, the site’s mix of habitats makes it a rich and diverse place for nature.

Elegant line drawing of a bow with ribbon trailing.

Birds

Walkmill's diverse mix of habitats, including woodland, scrub, ponds, and open grassland, provides a home for many bird species. This patchwork of environments ensures there's something for everyone, whether they prefer dense undergrowth or wide-open spaces.

You can identify the birds you see or hear at Walkmill with the free Merlin Bird ID App. You can use the app to:

  • Record a bird song or call.

  • Upload a photo of a bird.

  • Enter details about a bird you've seen.

Download the app directly from the Merlin Bird ID website.

Recently heard or seen on site

  • Blackbird

  • Blackcap

  • Blue Tit

  • Bullfinch

  • Buzzard

  • Chaffinch

  • Garden Warbler

  • Grasshopper Warbler

  • Great Tit

  • Goldfinch

  • Jay

  • Kestrel

  • Lapwing

  • Lesser Redpoll

  • Long-tailed Tit

  • Magpie

  • Mistle Thrush

  • Robin

  • Siskin

  • Song Thrush

  • Sparrow Hawk

  • Whitethroat

  • Willow Warbler

  • Wren

Jay

Jay

Buzzard

Buzzard

Wren

Wren

Lesser Redpoll

Lesser Redpoll

Blackbird

Blackbird

Robin

Robin

Reptiles & Amphibians

Reptiles and amphibians thrive here at Walkmill, thanks to a combination of essential habitat features. The damp shelter and abundant insects found in ponds, wet areas, scrub, and shady undergrowth provide an ideal home for amphibians. The woodland offers reptiles everything they need, including warm basking spots, dense cover, and plenty of food.

Regular sightings include

  • Adder

  • Common Toad

  • Common Frog

  • Smooth Newt

  • Common Lizard

Neon outline of a frog sitting on a line next to a chalk plant or fern on a black background.
Abstract beige landscape with wavy horizon line

Invertebrates - the unsung heroes of the ecosystem

Dragonflies and damselflies

At least 11 species have been recorded breeding here, including broad-bodied chaser and golden-ringed dragonfly.

Butterflies and moths

We’ve recorded meadow browns, peacocks and many others. There’s even potential habitat for the rare marsh fritillary, although it’s not present at the moment – the foodplant it needs, devil’s-bit scabious, has been planted but is not yet established.

Riverflies and aquatic life

Before restoration, the stretch of river at Walkmill Community Woodland was little more than a concrete canal, offering no habitat for riverflies or other aquatic life. Since the works, the transformation has been remarkable. Multiple species have returned, including freshwater shrimp, caddisflies and mayflies - key indicators of a healthy ecosystem.

Fish at Walkmill

We would love to restore the heavily modified Beck into a natural waterway where fish can also live and thrive. Unfortunately, further work is not possible due to environmental concerns related to historical mining contaminants.

Abstract landscape with a beige sky, gray hills, and dark foreground.

Mammals at Walkmill

Bats

At dusk, bats are frequent visitors to Walkmill, flitting overhead as they hunt for insects. To experience this firsthand, why not join an evening bat walk where you can use bat detectors to pick up their high-pitched calls and identify the species active in the area?

Red Squirrels

Red squirrels are still here, despite the threat from invasive grey squirrels across Cumbria. Dedicated volunteers, using hidden wildlife cameras, have captured numerous sightings, confirming their presence.

Badgers

While no setts have been discovered on-site, camera footage reveals badgers foraging as they pass through the area.

Otters

Otters are known to inhabit the River Keekle, which the beck flows into. Thanks to recent river restoration efforts, we hope to see them more regularly in the woodland section of Walkmill.

Roe Deer

Britain's most common native deer, the roe deer, can often be seen quietly moving through the woods or feeding at dawn and dusk.

Line drawing of various flowers and plants growing out of blue terrain

Get involved

Whether you're recording species on your phone, taking part in an event, or simply enjoying a quiet walk, everyone can play a part in helping to protect this beautiful space. You don't need to be a wildlife expert to lend a hand.

Take part in our wildlife survey

Help to build a better picture of biodiversity at Walkmill. Go to www.inaturalist.org or download the free iNaturalist app to record what you see and hear at Walkmill.

The wildlife survey aims to identify and log as many plant and animal species as we can.

Tag Walkmill on social media

Have you spotted something interesting at Walkmill?

Let us know by tagging Walkmill on social media or sending a message.

#walkmillwoods

Volunteer at Walkmill

Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and contribute to our conservation efforts.

Find out more about volunteering at Walkmill.

Or get in touch to let us know you’re interested.

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