Out & About December 2017

OA outdoors

Essex Skipper on wild carrot. Picture: Adam Dewar

Walking in a winter wonderland Enjoy winter sunshine to feel happier and healthier says WENDY TOBITT from the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust

Having fun on wild walk. Picture: Ric Mellis

Nick and Muffin enjoy a winter walk at Wokefield Common. Picture: Charlie Gray

J ust as we decorate our homes with glitter and tinsel as a way of sunshine on a brisk walk in the countryside. Sunshine boosts levels of serotonin, which is our natural ‘happy’ hormone, and if we combine sunlight with outdoor exercise in green spaces, such as a cycle ride or walk on a nature reserve, we feel even better thanks to increased endorphins. Why not combine a winter walk in the sunshine with photography, as Charlie Gray from Calcot did last December? This year he’s won two prizes in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust’s Oxford Festival of Nature Photography Competition. Charlie is a keen amateur photographer and usually takes his bridge camera with him on walks. But out with his son Nick and their collie cross terrier dog Muffin, he only had a Smartphone to capture the afternoon sunlight streaming through the trees at Wokefield Common nature reserve near Aldermaston. celebrating light in midwinter, we can feel happier and healthier enjoying

Charlie won the Wildlife Trust’s People and Wildlife and Smartphone categories in the photography competition. Having a family photo competition, just for fun, while walking around Hosehill Lake near Theale, led 14-year-old Adam Dewar from Lower Earley to capture this amazing close-up shot of an Essex Skipper butterfly on wild carrot. Adam won the family competition on that day, and snapped up the Wildlife Trust’s Young Photographer Award too. If you’re inspired by the sparkle and glitter of sunlight, and enjoy exploring the colours and textures of the natural landscape, then book a place on BBOWT’s Winter Wildlife Photography course on Saturday, February 10, at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham. This is a practical day with expert wildlife photographer Iain Green giving individual tuition to suit beginners and intermediate photographers, who are keen to capture the very best of the winter wildlife.

Get ready for Christmas at the Nature Discovery Centre in Lower Way, Thatcham CHRISTMAS CRAFTS

Saturday, December 9, 10.30am to 3pm. Drop in during the day to make rustic decorations for your Christmas tree using natural materials. See the great range of Christmas cards and gifts in the NDC shop. CHRISTMAS TREE SALE Sunday, December 10, 11am to 3pm. The trees are Scots pines felled as part of conservation work on a nature reserve near Crowthorne. Scots pines make excellent Christmas trees and they are less prone to drop their needles than others. Trees are a variety of sizes and prices start from £10. Also available: mistletoe, holly, Christmas willow ornamental bunches and wreaths. WINTERWILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY Sunday, February 10, 10am to 4pm. Practical tuition for beginner and intermediate photographers with expert wildlife photographer Iain Green http://www.wildlifewonder.co.uk/ This event is primarily for adults, but older children accompanied by an adult are welcome.

www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on for events throughout December FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT LOCAL WILDLIFE EVENTS Wherever you are, go wild with your local wildlife trust

@bbowildlifetrust

@bbowt

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