Out & About Winter 2018

Winter wildlife LEISURE – OUTDOORS

There is plenty to see in the great outdoors during the winter months says CAROLYNE CULVER of the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust

N ow that winter is here there are plenty of wildlife spectacles to enjoy in West Berkshire. Frequent winter visitors to the lake at the Nature Discovery Centre,Thatcham, include ducks, such as pochard, tufted duck and shoveler. Starling murmurations can often be seen over Thatcham reedbeds and a variety of birds, including tits and goldcrests, can be seen on Snelsmore Common and in Bowdown Woods.

If you are feeling festive, come and design your own wreath. 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. The next sessions are on Thursday, December 13 , 9.30am- 11.30am and 1pm-2.30pm, and on Friday, December 14 , 9.30am- 11:30am. The Nature Discovery Centre is open Tuesday to Sunday each week between 10.30am and 4pm and is a perfect place for a cuppa to warm up after a walk around the lake. It is only closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. However, improvements to the area are currently underway. An attractive weatherproof canopy will be installed to cover an area between the centre and the lake. It will provide a more welcoming space for visitors viewing the lake and its wildlife and enable café customers to sit outside regardless of the weather. The project will improve accessibility by installing ramps and relaying floor surfaces. During the work, views of the lake from the centre will be limited, but all walks and car parks will be open as usual.

Shoveler duck

The next walk will take place on Wednesday, December 12 , between 10am-noon, with participants gathering near the Greenham Common Control Tower. There will be a Christmas tree sale at the Nature Discovery Centre on Sunday, December 9 from 11am-3pm. The trees are Scots pines, felled as part of wildlife site management. They are less prone to drop their needles than commercial trees. Trees will be available in a variety of sizes and prices will start from £10. All proceeds will help BBOWT to manage land for wildlife and connect people with wildlife. Other seasonal favourites, such as mistletoe, holly, Christmas willow ornamental bunches, wreaths and cards, will also be available and there is a range of Christmas presents in the centre’s shop, open Tuesday-Sunday.

Check out BBOWT’s free Wild Links app in the App Store or on Android if you are looking for new places to walk in West Berkshire. It includes an interactive map of local nature reserves and walks that connect them, and photos and information about where to see wildlife. You can join a free winter bird walk with local natural history enthusiast Graeme Stewart on Sunday, December 2 , 2pm-4pm at the Nature Discovery Centre. You will be able to learn all about the birds that visit the land and lakes around the centre during the winter months. Graeme also leads monthly bird- watching walks around Greenham Common, to explore this beautiful heathland and woodland landscape.

Tufted ducks

Details of all BBOWT events on www.bbowt.org.uk/whats-on BBOWT Facebook handle is @bbowildlifetrust and Twitter is @bbowt Pictures: Margaret Holland, Amy Lewis and Laura Parker

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