Welcome to Holt Island Nature Reserve

Holt Island is an oasis of tranquillity in the centre of St Ives town. The Island provides a variety of habitats which attract a wide range of birds, mammals, plants and insects.

Formerly used to grow willow for basket-making, the Island became overgrown when this ended. This changed its appearance and attracted many different types of wildlife. Today the island is home to mammals such as voles, shrews, deer, badgers, bats and foxes. Plants such as yellow flag iris, purple loosestrife and comfrey thrive. Tortoiseshell, red admiral and peacock butterflies can be seen along with dragonflies and damselflies. And a huge variety of birds including kingfishers, warblers, and blackcaps can be seen. For more information about what you could see vist our sightings and reports page.  Photo © Nigel Sprowell.

The Island has a raised boardwalk, which makes it accessible to prams and wheelchairs, and there is plenty of seating, some with picnic tables. The Holt cabin, complete with bench seating, a nature table, books and children's activity sheets and displays. For more information to plan your visit CLICK HERE.

Schools and youth groups are very welcome to book visits - please contact us. Activity worksheets and our Education Pack can be downloaded from our publications page.

For information about events CLICK HERE.

We also have our own YouTube channel.

For a downloadable information leaflet CLICK HERE.

News Bulletin

STOP PRESS!

HOLT ISLAND HONEY

Please call Ian on 07836 248360 to claim a jar

HOLT ISLAND BIRD AND WIDLIFE UPDATE

Recent visitors to the Island may have noticed the large numbers of juvenile birds around the feeders and may even have heard the callings of two juvenile sparrow hawks and green woodpeckers.

As to the animals, we are pleased to report we still have two badgers and two pairs of muntjac deer. There has also been evidence (a pike head) that an otter has visited the island, this time on the main river side. An otter has also been seen at the Quay - but at 5.30am!

We’ve been concerned at the lack of water available for wildlife so a small drinking pool has been positioned near the main feeders. Well, it’s amazing what a small pool can attract – numerous bathing birds, a pair of sparrow hawks (the female bathing for ages), deer and badgers feeding and drinking, a juvenile green woodpecker and our resident fox. And something very unusual - a squirrel attacking a muntjac deer!

Please click HERE to see the Holt Island bird and wildlife list updated for July.