← Back🌳 Broadleaved woodland

Tropical Bird Garden

1 ha

📷 Stephen Sweeney · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeFungiBirds

Public accessFree entryDogs welcome1 ha

Getting here

52.63206, -1.29947

Open directionsv

Google Maps↗Driving directions Apple Maps↗Driving directions Waze↗Live driving navigation Google Transit↗Bus, rail or tram Apple Transit↗Bus, rail or tram

Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
☕The Real Macaw — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🍄Mushroom foraging is at its best in summer here
☕The Real Macaw — makes this an easy full-day family visit without needing to pack food

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Café

Best for

9 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Mushroom foraging

Strong match

Fungi — Snowy Inkcap, Weeping Widow, Meadow Waxcap +15 more · last seen 2025; Fungi — Snowy Inkcap, Weeping Widow, Meadow Waxcap +15 more · last seen 2025

Varies

Bird watching

Strong match

Birds — Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Robin +46 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Carrion Crow, Dunnock, Robin +46 more · last seen 2026

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Rhinocyllus conicus, Malvapion malvae, Sphaeroderma testaceum +59 more · last seen 2025; Insects — Rhinocyllus conicus, Malvapion malvae, Sphaeroderma testaceum +59 more · last seen 2025

Free

Seasonal nature

Strong match

Plants — White Dead-nettle, Lesser Celandine, Dandelion +56 more · last seen 2026; Plants — White Dead-nettle, Lesser Celandine, Dandelion +56 more · last seen 2026

Free

Dog walks

Strong match

Dogs allowed — public woodland

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

3 signed routes nearby · 8 public paths nearby

Signed route nearbyPublic paths

Leicestershire RoundWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

National Forest WayWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

Ivanhoe WayWalking route

Named routeRegional walking route

Little Lanepublic footpath · 87 m

Public pathpublic footpathLength 87 mSurface unpavedPath type: track

🚴

Cycling

32 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route 63Cycling route

Named routeRef 63National Cycle Network

Leicester 'Route 2'Cycling route

Named routeRef 2Local cycle route

Main RouteCycling route19 m

Named routeRef 63Length 19 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route424 m

Named routeRef 63Length 424 mNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route1.3 km

Named routeRef 63Length 1.3 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Main RouteCycling route1.7 km

Named routeRef 63Length 1.7 kmNational Cycle NetworkOn-roadSurface asphalt

Wildlife to spot

34,902 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

34,902 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds52 species

winter

2026

Carrion Crow · Dunnock · Robin · Woodpigeon · Blackbird +47

Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
DunnockPrunella modularis2025
RobinErithacus rubecula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
MagpiePica pica2025
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
Great TitParus major2025
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
Stock DoveColumba oenas2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
BuzzardButeo buteo2025
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2025
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2025
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
RedwingTurdus iliacus2025
JayGarrulus glandarius2025
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
Carduelis carduelis britannicaCarduelis carduelis britannica2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
Red KiteMilvus milvus2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
SiskinSpinus spinus2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2025
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2025
Common RedpollAcanthis flammea flammea/rostrata2025
BramblingFringilla montifringilla2025
SwiftApus apus2025
Garden WarblerSylvia borin2025
House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
WhitethroatCurruca communis2025
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
Pica pica picaPica pica pica2025
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnus2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025

🦌

Mammals3 species

winterspring

2025

Brown Hare · Badger · Muntjac

Brown HareLepus europaeus
BadgerMeles meles
MuntjacMuntiacus reevesi

🐝

Insects62 species

summer

2025

Rhinocyllus conicus · Oulema obscura · Sepsis cynipsea · Sphaeroderma testaceum · Malvapion malvae +57

Rhinocyllus conicusRhinocyllus conicus
Oulema obscuraOulema obscura
Sepsis cynipseaSepsis cynipsea
Sphaeroderma testaceumSphaeroderma testaceum
Malvapion malvaeMalvapion malvae
Perapion violaceumPerapion violaceum
Welsh ChaferHoplia philanthus
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum
Rutpela maculataRutpela maculata
Lesser Marsh GrasshopperChorthippus albomarginatus
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata
Pseudapion rufirostrePseudapion rufirostre
Phyllobius virideaerisPhyllobius virideaeris
Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorumPlagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum
Dasineura urticaeDasineura urticae
Trichochermes walkeriTrichochermes walkeri
Scarce Hawthorn DotStigmella paradoxa
Red-pea Gall CauserCynips divisa f. agamic
Buckthorn DotStigmella catharticella
Banded DemoiselleCalopteryx splendens
Silver-washed FritillaryArgynnis paphia
Urophora stylataUrophora stylata
Neomyia cornicinaNeomyia cornicina
VapourerOrgyia antiqua
Sphaeridium lunatumSphaeridium lunatum
Amblytylus nasutusAmblytylus nasutus
Cantharis lateralisCantharis lateralis
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae
Teuchestes fossorTeuchestes fossor
Cercyon haemorrhoidalisCercyon haemorrhoidalis
Oncotylus (Oncotylus) viridiflavusOncotylus (Oncotylus) viridiflavus
Meadow Plant BugLeptopterna dolabrata
Small WhitePieris rapae
Pithanus maerkeliiPithanus maerkelii
Pseudoloxops coccineusPseudoloxops coccineus
Common MarbleCelypha lacunana
RingletAphantopus hyperantus
Pterostichus strenuusPterostichus strenuus
Eudasyphora cyanicolorEudasyphora cyanicolor
16-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata
Cercyon terminatusCercyon terminatus
14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata
Psallus (Psallus) lepidusPsallus (Psallus) lepidus
Sphaeridium scarabaeoidesSphaeridium scarabaeoides
Morellia simplexMorellia simplex
Timothy GrassbugStenotus binotatus
Cercyon quisquiliusCercyon quisquilius
Lygus pratensisLygus pratensis
Elm-currant AphidEriosoma ulmi
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
Garden Grass-veneerChrysoteuchia culmella
Psallus (Psallus) flavellusPsallus (Psallus) flavellus
Aphrodes makaroviAphrodes makarovi
Creeping Thistle LacebugTingis (Tingis) ampliata
PeacockAglais io
Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus
Swollen-thighed BeetleOedemera nobilis
Buff-tipPhalera bucephala
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata
Straw DotRivula sericealis

🍄

Fungi18 species

autumn

2025

Snowy Inkcap · Weeping Widow · Meadow Waxcap · Crepidotus · Stubble Rosegill +13

Snowy InkcapCoprinopsis nivea
Weeping WidowLacrymaria lacrymabunda
Meadow WaxcapCuphophyllus pratensis var. pratensis
CrepidotusCrepidotus
Stubble RosegillVolvopluteus gloiocephalus
Candlesnuff FungusXylaria hypoxylon
Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus
Alder BracketMensularia radiata
Cedarwood WaxcapCuphophyllus russocoriaceus
ClavariaClavaria
Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus var. virgineus
Yellow FieldcapBolbitius titubans
Shaggy BracketInonotus hispidus
Glistening InkcapCoprinellus micaceus
Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades
ParasolMacrolepiota procera var. procera
Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea
Great Burnet RustXenodochus carbonarius

🌿

Plants59 species

springsummer

2026

White Dead-nettle · Lesser Celandine · Dandelion · Tormentil · Adder's-tongue +54

White Dead-nettleLamium album
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna
DandelionTaraxacum
TormentilPotentilla erecta2025
Adder's-tongueOphioglossum vulgatum2025
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis
Autumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalis2025
Devil's-bit ScabiousSuccisa pratensis2025
Water FigwortScrophularia auriculata2025
Water ChickweedStellaria aquatica2025
NipplewortLapsana communis2025
BittersweetSolanum dulcamara2025
Upright Hedge-parsleyTorilis japonica2025
Winter-cressBarbarea vulgaris2025
Orange BalsamImpatiens capensis2025
YarrowAchillea millefolium2025
BulrushTypha latifolia2025
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria2025
Water MintMentha aquatica2025
Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum2025
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis2025
Ragged-RobinSilene flos-cuculi2025
Creeping CinquefoilPotentilla reptans2025
Burnet-saxifragePimpinella saxifraga2025
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2025
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2025
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris2025
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus2025
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata2025
Water HorsetailEquisetum fluviatile2025
Great BurnetSanguisorba officinalis2025
Pepper-saxifrageSilaum silaus2025
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum2025
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare2025
BetonyBetonica officinalis2025
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis2025
BrooklimeVeronica beccabunga2025
Bulbous ButtercupRanunculus bulbosus2025
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis2025
Goldilocks ButtercupRanunculus auricomus2025
Germander SpeedwellVeronica chamaedrys2025
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2025
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2025
PignutConopodium majus2025
Lady's mantleAlchemilla2025
Meadow SaxifrageSaxifraga granulata2025
Mouse-EarCerastium2025
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2025
BugleAjuga reptans2025
Thyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifolia2025
Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis2025
Red CampionSilene dioica2025
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris2025
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2025
Wood AnemoneAnemone nemorosa2025
Lords-and-LadiesArum maculatum2025
Red Dead-nettleLamium purpureum2025
CowslipPrimula veris2025
Ground-ivyGlechoma hederacea2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

34,902 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds52 species

winter

2026

Carrion Crow · Dunnock · Robin · Woodpigeon · Blackbird +47

Carrion CrowCorvus corone2025
DunnockPrunella modularis2025
RobinErithacus rubecula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
JackdawColoeus monedula2025
MagpiePica pica2025
Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris2025
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis2025
Great TitParus major2025
PheasantPhasianus colchicus2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
Stock DoveColumba oenas2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs2025
BuzzardButeo buteo2025
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula2025
Collared DoveStreptopelia decaocto2025
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
RedwingTurdus iliacus2025
JayGarrulus glandarius2025
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
Lesser Black-backed GullLarus fuscus2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
KestrelFalco tinnunculus2025
Carduelis carduelis britannicaCarduelis carduelis britannica2025
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
Red KiteMilvus milvus2025
SwallowHirundo rustica2025
Green WoodpeckerPicus viridis2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo2025
SiskinSpinus spinus2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus2025
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2025
Common RedpollAcanthis flammea flammea/rostrata2025
BramblingFringilla montifringilla2025
SwiftApus apus2025
Garden WarblerSylvia borin2025
House MartinDelichon urbicum2025
WhitethroatCurruca communis2025
SkylarkAlauda arvensis2025
House SparrowPasser domesticus2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
Pica pica picaPica pica pica2025
Whooper SwanCygnus cygnus2025
Canada GooseBranta canadensis2025

🦌

Mammals3 species

winterspring

2025

Brown Hare · Badger · Muntjac

Brown HareLepus europaeus
BadgerMeles meles
MuntjacMuntiacus reevesi

🐝

Insects62 species

summer

2025

Rhinocyllus conicus · Oulema obscura · Sepsis cynipsea · Sphaeroderma testaceum · Malvapion malvae +57

Rhinocyllus conicusRhinocyllus conicus
Oulema obscuraOulema obscura
Sepsis cynipseaSepsis cynipsea
Sphaeroderma testaceumSphaeroderma testaceum
Malvapion malvaeMalvapion malvae
Perapion violaceumPerapion violaceum
Welsh ChaferHoplia philanthus
Common Carder BeeBombus pascuorum
Rutpela maculataRutpela maculata
Lesser Marsh GrasshopperChorthippus albomarginatus
Yellow ShellCamptogramma bilineata
Pseudapion rufirostrePseudapion rufirostre
Phyllobius virideaerisPhyllobius virideaeris
Plagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorumPlagiognathus (Plagiognathus) arbustorum
Dasineura urticaeDasineura urticae
Trichochermes walkeriTrichochermes walkeri
Scarce Hawthorn DotStigmella paradoxa
Red-pea Gall CauserCynips divisa f. agamic
Buckthorn DotStigmella catharticella
Banded DemoiselleCalopteryx splendens
Silver-washed FritillaryArgynnis paphia
Urophora stylataUrophora stylata
Neomyia cornicinaNeomyia cornicina
VapourerOrgyia antiqua
Sphaeridium lunatumSphaeridium lunatum
Amblytylus nasutusAmblytylus nasutus
Cantharis lateralisCantharis lateralis
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Meadow BrownManiola jurtina
Small TortoiseshellAglais urticae
Teuchestes fossorTeuchestes fossor
Cercyon haemorrhoidalisCercyon haemorrhoidalis
Oncotylus (Oncotylus) viridiflavusOncotylus (Oncotylus) viridiflavus
Meadow Plant BugLeptopterna dolabrata
Small WhitePieris rapae
Pithanus maerkeliiPithanus maerkelii
Pseudoloxops coccineusPseudoloxops coccineus
Common MarbleCelypha lacunana
RingletAphantopus hyperantus
Pterostichus strenuusPterostichus strenuus
Eudasyphora cyanicolorEudasyphora cyanicolor
16-spot LadybirdTytthaspis sedecimpunctata
Cercyon terminatusCercyon terminatus
14-spot LadybirdPropylea quattuordecimpunctata
Psallus (Psallus) lepidusPsallus (Psallus) lepidus
Sphaeridium scarabaeoidesSphaeridium scarabaeoides
Morellia simplexMorellia simplex
Timothy GrassbugStenotus binotatus
Cercyon quisquiliusCercyon quisquilius
Lygus pratensisLygus pratensis
Elm-currant AphidEriosoma ulmi
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
Garden Grass-veneerChrysoteuchia culmella
Psallus (Psallus) flavellusPsallus (Psallus) flavellus
Aphrodes makaroviAphrodes makarovi
Creeping Thistle LacebugTingis (Tingis) ampliata
PeacockAglais io
Potato CapsidClosterotomus norwegicus
Swollen-thighed BeetleOedemera nobilis
Buff-tipPhalera bucephala
22-spot LadybirdPsyllobora vigintiduopunctata
Straw DotRivula sericealis

🍄

Fungi18 species

autumn

2025

Snowy Inkcap · Weeping Widow · Meadow Waxcap · Crepidotus · Stubble Rosegill +13

Snowy InkcapCoprinopsis nivea
Weeping WidowLacrymaria lacrymabunda
Meadow WaxcapCuphophyllus pratensis var. pratensis
CrepidotusCrepidotus
Stubble RosegillVolvopluteus gloiocephalus
Candlesnuff FungusXylaria hypoxylon
Parrot WaxcapGliophorus psittacinus
Alder BracketMensularia radiata
Cedarwood WaxcapCuphophyllus russocoriaceus
ClavariaClavaria
Snowy WaxcapCuphophyllus virgineus var. virgineus
Yellow FieldcapBolbitius titubans
Shaggy BracketInonotus hispidus
Glistening InkcapCoprinellus micaceus
Fairy Ring ChampignonMarasmius oreades
ParasolMacrolepiota procera var. procera
Giant PuffballCalvatia gigantea
Great Burnet RustXenodochus carbonarius

🌿

Plants59 species

springsummer

2026

White Dead-nettle · Lesser Celandine · Dandelion · Tormentil · Adder's-tongue +54

White Dead-nettleLamium album
Lesser CelandineFicaria verna
DandelionTaraxacum
TormentilPotentilla erecta2025
Adder's-tongueOphioglossum vulgatum2025
Dog's MercuryMercurialis perennis
Autumn HawkbitScorzoneroides autumnalis2025
Devil's-bit ScabiousSuccisa pratensis2025
Water FigwortScrophularia auriculata2025
Water ChickweedStellaria aquatica2025
NipplewortLapsana communis2025
BittersweetSolanum dulcamara2025
Upright Hedge-parsleyTorilis japonica2025
Winter-cressBarbarea vulgaris2025
Orange BalsamImpatiens capensis2025
YarrowAchillea millefolium2025
BulrushTypha latifolia2025
MeadowsweetFilipendula ulmaria2025
Water MintMentha aquatica2025
Great WillowherbEpilobium hirsutum2025
Common ValerianValeriana officinalis2025
Ragged-RobinSilene flos-cuculi2025
Creeping CinquefoilPotentilla reptans2025
Burnet-saxifragePimpinella saxifraga2025
Common RagwortJacobaea vulgaris2025
Common KnapweedCentaurea nigra2025
SelfhealPrunella vulgaris2025
Common Bird's-foot-trefoilLotus corniculatus2025
Cat's-earHypochaeris radicata2025
Water HorsetailEquisetum fluviatile2025
Great BurnetSanguisorba officinalis2025
Pepper-saxifrageSilaum silaus2025
Lady's BedstrawGalium verum2025
Oxeye DaisyLeucanthemum vulgare2025
BetonyBetonica officinalis2025
Meadow VetchlingLathyrus pratensis2025
BrooklimeVeronica beccabunga2025
Bulbous ButtercupRanunculus bulbosus2025
CuckooflowerCardamine pratensis2025
Goldilocks ButtercupRanunculus auricomus2025
Germander SpeedwellVeronica chamaedrys2025
Garlic MustardAlliaria petiolata2025
Red CloverTrifolium pratense2025
PignutConopodium majus2025
Lady's mantleAlchemilla2025
Meadow SaxifrageSaxifraga granulata2025
Mouse-EarCerastium2025
Ribwort PlantainPlantago lanceolata2025
BugleAjuga reptans2025
Thyme-leaved SpeedwellVeronica serpyllifolia2025
Meadow FoxtailAlopecurus pratensis2025
Red CampionSilene dioica2025
Meadow ButtercupRanunculus acris2025
Cow ParsleyAnthriscus sylvestris2025
Wood AnemoneAnemone nemorosa2025
Lords-and-LadiesArum maculatum2025
Red Dead-nettleLamium purpureum2025
CowslipPrimula veris2025
Ground-ivyGlechoma hederacea2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Stephen Sweeney · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Tropical Birdland, Desford

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🌱Kirby Muxloe Bowls ClubUrban park4.6 km→🌱Ferndale ParkUrban park4.8 km→🌱Tropical Bird GardenUrban park100 m→🌱Pickard Recreation GroundUrban park600 m→🐄Leedham Farm shopVisitor farm1.5 km→✦Old Hays moated site and associated manorial earthworks, RatbyHistoric site2.9 km→

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