Chestnut Alley Park

In Yahotyn park an old chestnut alley runs through mixed forest toward slopes above the water. The trees are tall, the understorey is dense, and between the trunks you can glimpse reed patches and small channels linking the park to the main lake. This is a quiet point on the route where woodland meets the reservoir shore.

In spring great tits and blue tits sing in the canopy, and you may hear song thrushes and cuckoos in the scrub. At dusk and after dark tawny owls are often heard here, while jays and woodpeckers move through the treetops. Near the water look for kingfishers, ducks and white wagtails. On autumn mornings the park is especially lively as birds feed before migration.

Practical tips

• Best early in the morning, when woodland birds are most active.
• Paths run between trees and shrubs. A quiet approach helps you hear owls or thrushes.
• In winter, open patches near the water are good for jays and woodpeckers.

Best season: March–May and September–November