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Picture by Jessica Harvey, one of the competition winners.

I HAVE received a lovely report from Lisa Gravett, People and Wildlife Officer at Lorton Meadows Nature Reserve.

Lorton Meadows has had a very busy and successful year. Hundreds of local schoolchildren have visited and enjoyed the many educational activities on offer such as pond dipping and minibeast hunting in different habitats such as woodland and meadows. The Centre also runs wildlife events every half term and throughout the main school holidays.

These involve looking at particular themes such as dragonfly hunting, butterfly observation and life cycles, animal tracks and signs and meadow monsters as well as events on seasonal themes. There are also guided walks for adults which take place throughout the year such as wildflower walks and spring tree walks and evening events which look at the lives of the bats and badgers of Lorton.

Lorton Meadows is very fortunate to have many volunteers from the local community who help out on a regular basis and whose conservation work is invaluable in keeping the reserve and its various habitats in prime condition to attract wildlife. We are always looking for new volunteers and very much welcome anybody from the local community who may have a few hours to spare and come and help.

The reserve continues to be a haven for wildlife and any visitors may be fortunate to see any number of bird, mammal, reptile and insect species. The kestrels had a successful year producing three youngsters as did the great tits which nested in the Lorton camera birdbox which can be viewed live from the visitor centre. Unfortunately 2 of the baby tits did not survive during the harsh rain and it is thought the parents could not gather enough food for the whole brood to eat. This, however, did leave 3 successful fledglings. The barn owl which roosted in the owl hole in the visitor centre roof stayed for nearly 2 months but eventually left, probably to find a mate. Other wildlife sightings have included many bats, common lizards and slowworms.

Volunteers have also been busy construction disabled pathways in the picnic area and the woodland area close to the visitor centre. More work will be underway in the coming year to further improve access for disabled visitors as part of the Trust's aim to make wildlife more accessible and inclusive to the whole community.

Other events at the Centre this year have included a very successful art competition where entrants were asked to use any media to portray an animal or insect which could be found on the reserve. The winners were local schoolchildren Lauren Read, Alfie Warder and Charlotte Tate. The competition was judged by local botanical artist sally Pinhey from the Winterbourne Monkton art gallery and the prizes were awarded by children's' author and fungi painter Ron Karley who presented each of the winners with a signed copy of one his published books. There has also been a Halloween theme display running throughout October and November which has included a display of 25 animal and bird skulls plus information and activities about creatures of the night such as bats and barn owls.

The reserve is open all year round and welcomes visitors. Conservation Work Parties take place from the beginning of January to which all new volunteers are welcome. The first meeting will be on the 9th January and every other fortnight thereafter. Children's events will begin at half term with a Wildlife Discovery Day for 8-12 year olds looking at mammal tracks and signs and a Caterpillar Kids event for under 8's looking at Natures Recyclers. If you would like to find out more just contact Lisa on 01305 816546.

Photo shows part of the display of skulls

10:46am Wednesday 5th December 2007

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