Thanks for your interest in our Nature Hunt. Unfortunately this is a mobile only experience so please use your phone
Thanks for your interest in our Nature Hunt. Unfortunately this is a mobile only experience so please find us on your mobile device
This bit is for the adult explorers!
This a self guided trail so we’ll need your help to keep our adventurers on track and engaged!
Not everything that we point you to be will found today or easy to spot but encourage your young ones to take time to look around them and listen carefully!
They're going to need all of their senses and exploring should be 95% of the fun!
Tips for Explorers
Be careful! You'll be walking alongside rivers, near trees and through wet grasslands in places so watch your step
Always have the right equipment. If its wet, wear wellies. If its hot, bring water. If too much of either of things, maybe come another day!
Leave nothing but footprints! We hope you see and hear lots of wildlife today but leave nothing behind that could harm them once you're gone
Southwood Country Park used to be a golf course, but was saved from development and left to become a wild space for people and animals to enjoy!
It is owned by Rushmoor Borough Council and maintained by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust, with help from the Southwood Improvement group volunteers!
When you are ready, walk between the Zipline and the Play park and follow the path beyond
Can you hear the noise of the airport here?
Southwood Country Park sits between housing, roads and the airport, providing a constant backdrop of noise.
But open spaces like these continue to provide a safe haven for our wildlife so its important that people like you protect them for years to come!
While we have your attention, we have to thank those helped to make our Hunt today
The Drone footage at the start of our trail was filmed and produced by Rob Follett Creative
Much of the photography was taken by Colin Varndell
Wildlife expertise was provided by Steve Bailey and Bernard Baverstock
The graphic design work was done by students at Farnborough College of Technology
Look at the hedgerow to your right and you will spot some white topped plants called Umbellifers. Say it with me, UM - BELLY - FUR
They are mostly aromatic plants, or in other words, they smell!
They provide a home and food for various insect but keep your distance, they can irritate human skin!
Now head towards the trees in the middle of this area
How many newly planted trees can you count? Just kidding, there are loads!
These newly planted trees will provide habitats for future generations of insects and birds so it is important we look after them!
The tubes around their trunks protect them from Rabbits, Squirrels and Deer
Where are you going to visit next?
There are so many other places to explore in the Blackwater Valley and we have a growing number of Nature Hunts!
Explorers, its time for us to end our hunt
Make your way back to the Field Centre, keeping your eyes peeled and your ears open! You never know what you'll see and hear so be alert!
We hope you've enjoyed yourselves today!
Adults, there are a couple more things just for you before you go!
Nature Hunt is a new initiative to get young people out into our natural spaces and build their curiosity about the wildlife they can find
We want our hunts to be engaging for our Explorers but also easy for you to lead so if you have feedback on the hunt, here at Hawley Meadows or any other site, please let us know by emailing dan.lemarquand@bvct.org.uk
And last thing! If your young explorer enjoyed our Nature Hunt, please consider becoming a member of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust for just £5 a year!
We're a charitable organisation who protect & enhance the valley and your membership fees help us to continue to this
It also means we’ll put together more of these Nature Hunts in future to entertain your little ones!