Discover the beauties of woodlands and views in the Big Chiltern Weekend, urges Wendy Tobitt of the local wildlife trust

This year’s Big Chilterns Weekend, promoting all that is beautiful, delicious and amazing about the glorious Chilterns countryside, coincides with Mothering Sunday.

With so many attractions and destinations vying for your attention, why not treat your mum to a walk on the wild side in the Chilterns, and enjoy a celebratory lunch or tea in a local pub.

The Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) looks after several nature reserves in the Chilterns, including Hartslock nature reserve nearing Goring, the two adjacent reserves at Chinnor Hill and Oakley Hill, both of them close to the Ridgeway National Trail on the northern escarpment of the Chilterns, and Warburg Nature Reserve near Nettlebed.

Hartslock is a beautiful reserve on the very western end of the Chilterns, where the downland drops steeply to the River Thames at Goring Gap. The views from the top of the reserve across the Thames are spectacular.

Hartslock is one of the oldest wildlife sites in the country and is renowned for the magnificent display of monkey and lady orchids, and their rare hybrids that grace the reserve from mid-May into June. Walking in the spring sunshine through Chilterns beechwoods at Chinnor Hill and Oakley Hill above the town of Chinnor, gives a fresh perspective on a familiar landscape, and the views from these nature reserves towards Oxford are stunning.

In the woods bluebells are spiky bunches of bright green leaves thrusting through the soil, hazel catkins are nodding in the sun, shedding golden pollen with every breeze, the bright yellow flowers of aconites and creamy-white wood anemones contrast with dark autumnal beech leaves still on the ground.

The sounds of birds getting ready for the nesting season fill the air. Listen out for the drumming of great spotted woodpeckers as it ricochets through the woodland. The birds are battering hollow trees with their beaks to establish their territories and attract a mate.

Hosts of small woodland birds including tits and finches forage together through the undergrowth and small trees, calling and twittering to each other. Soon they will leave the flock and pair up to raise a family.

Warburg Nature Reserve, near Nettlebed, is a popular place for families keen to explore the site using the Nature Detectives Trail backpacks and kit, which is available from the visitor centre near the car park. Take a picnic and spend time in the wildlife garden or check out the hide with a view across a pond to see if there are any birds gathering nesting materials.

You can park in Nettlebed or Maidensgrove and follow public footpaths that go across the reserve or take a detour off the Oxfordshire Way. There are several permissive paths across the reserve and a short circular walk leads off from the reserve’s car park at the head of the valley at Bix Bottom.

The stars of Warburg Nature Reserve at this time of year are the red kites that use the uplift of warm air rising from the valley to soar and swoop. If you’re lucky you may see the amazing courtship play-fight as the male and female birds lock talons and tumble through the air before breaking apart to wheel away into the sky.

Many pubs and other destinations are taking part in The Big Chilterns Weekend, offering special lunches and teas — ideal for the start or end of a gentle stroll with the family.

Big Chilterns Weekend: visit www.visitchilterns.co.uk