A warm welcome on our nature walks

Interesting guided and self-guided nature walks occurred during the Festival and attracted a lot of interest. A huge thank you to our friends at Tice’s and Moor Green Lakes Group for organising these events.

“The bat walk was excellent. I learned a lot and met some lovely people”

“I was amazed how many bats we have at Shepherd Meadows”

“Thanks for a fabulous insight into the amazing work being done here, was great to meet you today”

Signage for Moor Green

Self-guided signage, © Angus McDonald

Self-guided walk at Moor Green Lakes

A self-guided walk around the perimeter of the reserve was available every day of the Festival.

Information posters describing conservation activities were placed near public footpaths from Grove Hide along the River Blackwater to the Moor Green Lakes car park.

Bat walk at Shepherd Meadows

Of all the Trust’s regular specialist walks, our bat walks are always the first to fill up, and this was no exception.

Maybe it’s the combination of the expert knowledge of BVC Partnership Manager Steve Bailey and the specialist bat detector equipment, or maybe it’s just the strange fascination these creatures of the night have for us.

Birdwatching at Tice's Meadow

Birds at Tice’s Meadow

This was a great evening for all the family. We met in Shepherd Meadows car park, wrapped up warm, and explored for about two hours.

Guided birdwatching walk at Tice’s Meadow

This event was an introduction to the birds and other wildlife found at Tice’s Meadow. It was run in conjunction with the Surrey Bird Club, a walk of 1.5 miles, lasting around three hours.

Volunteers explained the site’s history and helped visitors spot some of the 191 species seen on the site. It was a lovely morning until the heavens opened!

Open day at Moor Green

Open day at Moor Green

Open Walks Day at Moor Green Lakes

With the nesting season over, Moor Green Lakes was open to the public at the birdfeeder paddock next to Colebrook Hide. Volunteers were there to talk about the reserve, its conservation and its wildlife. The hides were manned, allowing visitors to hear more about the reserve and its role in the Blackwater Valley.

In addition, hourly guided walks took place on the private paths within the reserve. The weather was perfect for walking and we were treated to the most amazing insight, by the MGLG team into the variety of wildlife and habitat that this reserve has to offer. We skirted Colebrook Lake, viewing Tern Island and Plover Island around to the tip of Long Island before exiting the area not normally open to the public.