Begwary Brook

Begwary Brook - Andrew Green

Begwary Brook - Andrew Green

Image of tress and lake at Begwary Brook

Pat Doody

Image of lake and trees at Begwary Brook

Image by Pat Doody

Image of trees at Begwary Brook

Image by Pat Doody

Begwary Brook

Dogs are not permitted on this reserve, in order to protect sensitive wildlife.

Attractive marsh and open pools, next to the meandering river Great Ouse

Location

Just east of the A1, south of
Wyboston
Bedfordshire
MK44 3AL
A static map of Begwary Brook

Know before you go

Size
1 hectare
z

Entry fee

No
P

Parking information

Pass through Wyboston Lake complex and follow the Nature Reserve signs. The track leading from the complex is very rough and meandering

Grazing animals

No

Walking trails

Firm ground in some places but in other parts the brick paths are uneven and can be slippery

Access

Yes

Dogs

No dogs permitted

Dogs are not permitted on this reserve, in order to protect sensitive wildlife.

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to May, June to September

About the reserve

From swans floating majestically across the water, to tall vegetation swaying gently in the breeze, Begwary Brook offers a range of interest to wildlife lovers at any time of year. Riverside marshes such as this are rare due to large-scale drainage that has taken place over recent years. The area was once a large marsh fed by the River Ouse, but in the 1960s gravel extraction created a small lake and a series of pools in the small area of marsh which survives today.

Willow trees fringe the water’s edge. Great burnet, an indicator of old pasture, survives here together with common fleabane and marsh woundwort, inviting insects to feed on their nectar. Warblers sing from the dense growth in spring and foxes are easily disturbed from their daytime resting places at any time of the year. In summer, dragonflies and damselflies hawk over the marsh, looking for an easy meal.

Management of the reserve is limited; we keep paths clear and remove invasive Himalayan balsam.  

Additional information

  • Scroll down to see the reserve boundary. Please note the boundary map is for indication purposes only and does not show the Wildlife Trusts definitive land boundary. 

FOR ANY MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT OUR COMMUNICATIONS TEAM:   communicationsteam@wildlifebcn.org or 01954 713500 and ask for comms team.

Contact us

Contact number: 01234 364213

Environmental designation

County Wildlife Site

Location map

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

Betony at Upwood Meadows June  - c. Robert Enderby

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