Out & About Autumn 2018

Get involved with the great outdoors says Carolyne Culver of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust Take a look around LEISURE – OUTDOORS

W alk across Greenham and Crookham Commons and your gaze may be drawn skyward in search of a serenading skylark high above, while the soft perfume of sun-bright gorse flowers drifts on the breeze. You may be lucky enough to spot a small falcon known as a hobby as it hunts for dragonflies over Thatcham Reedbeds, or at dusk marvel at bats flitting around the wet gulleys of Bowdown Woods. Stand quietly and there’s the chance of glimpsing an adder or lizard hunting among the heather. Look at the ground and you’ll discover other fabulous gems, such as the tiny, delicate heath milkwort, kidney vetch and fairy flax. These dazzlingly diverse landscapes comprise the largest single area of lowland heathland remaining in our region. The commons sit at the heart of the West Berkshire Living Landscape, a 27km² area that is the focus of projects to improve habitats and involve the community in conservation and wildlife monitoring. Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust

village fete feel with music, morris dancing and country crafts, including apple pressing and tasting. The Nature Discovery Centre offers events for all ages, including those specifically designed for children and teenagers. Nature Tots is a monthly opportunity for parents and pre-school children to have fun in natural surroundings. Each session includes activities like bug-hunting, mud-painting and mask- making. Teen Rangers events each month connect young people with nature. They enjoy learning practical conservation skills in a sociable and relaxed working environment – away from school stresses. www.bbowt.org.uk/wbll or check out the free Wild Links app featuring maps, suggested walks and events, available for Android and iPhone from the App Store or Google Play Store. To find out more about what’s on at Thatcham Nature Discovery Centre visit www.bbowt.org.uk/nature- discovery-centre Find out more about the West Berkshire Living Landscape at

has helped the public gain greater knowledge and appreciation of this landscape thanks to the Linking the Landscape project. Local people have helped to monitor species and one exciting discovery has been the steady increase in nightjars and their appearance at Snelsmore Common in 2017. Local people have also helped to conserve habitats. The Wednesday volunteers group has worked tirelessly, pulling bracken and ragwort, scything grass and cutting scrub. BBOWT has also held more than 100 community events that have attracted upwards of 10,000 people, such as short training courses in birdsong recognition and annual events like the Thatcham Community Orchard Wassails and Apple Days. Little Apple Day Thatcham Community Orchard Sunday October 14, 11am and 3pm. Located next to the Nature Discovery Centre, Lower Way, Thatcham, the orchard is run by volunteers. Members of the public are invited to join in this free event, which is suitable for all ages. Little Apple Day will have a traditional

Details of all BBOWT events on www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on BBOWT Facebook handle is @bbowildlifetrust and Twitter is @bbowt Pictures: Paul Roberts and Laura Parker

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