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Public Education
NATURAL HISTORY
Kingfisher and Badger Watching Evenings
Monday 18 May 5.30pm - 9.30pm - FULL
Thursday 21 May 5.30pm - 9.30pm - FULL
Thursday 6 August 5.30pm - 9.30pm - FULL
Tutor: Steven Robinson
Venue: Wakehurst Place
The Loder Valley Nature Reserve forms part of the Wakehurst Place estate and
offers the valuable combination of woodland, wetland and meadowland habitats
that are ideal for wildlife. Managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens, it is dedicated
to the conservation of the plants and animals of the Sussex Weald. Normally
only accessible to visitors by permit, these evening events in the reserve
will be led by the warden.
Kingfishers breed regularly in this beautiful conservation area and a specially
built hide affords magical close up views of their activities. With luck we
should be able to observe these beautiful birds in their natural habitat and
study their feeding habits and lifestyle. The evening continues with a chance
to see the residents of the badger sett before retracing our steps to see what
other nocturnal wildlife is out and about in the Reserve. Come with an open
mind, though, as natural history inevitably presents an element of surprise!
N.B. These evenings will involve a fair amount of walking of a moderately
strenuous level which will include some steep inclines on muddy and slippery
surfaces.
Course Fee: £25
Bat Evening
Thursday 13 August
6.30pm – 9.30pm
Tutors: James Pumfrey & Jenny Clark
Venue: Wakehurst Place
This course offers a wonderful opportunity to experience
Wakehurst Place at dusk and explore the fascinating lifestyles of many
of our native bats. The evening will begin with a very special introduction
to some live rescue bats before venturing out into the gardens and woodland
on ‘bat patrol’ to
learn how to identify the different species we encounter using ultra-sound
bat detectors. We will also hunt for the varied and sometimes unusual
places these endearing creatures choose for their roost sites.
Course
Fee: £20
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