Date correction! Friends walk on Saturday 23rd July

Froglife is inviting Friends and supporters to the final in this year’s series of Frog Friend walks on Saturday 23rd July at Hampton Nature Reserve (apologies for the precious post with the incorrect date). 

The Reserve is home to the largest known population of Great crested newts in Europe, and possibly the world. With Reserve Warden Paul Furnborough as your guide, you will be able to uncover the hidden secrets of the three hundred acre reserve, not normally open to the public.“This is a unique and exciting opportunity to come out and explore the reserve,” explains Liam Atherton, Froglife’s new Public Engagement Officer. “You can come along and see the amazing variety of wildlife that thrives there, and meet some of the Froglife staff and volunteers.”

The incredible ridge and furrow landscape of Hampton Nature Reserve

Owned by O&H Hampton Ltd and managed by Froglife, Hampton Nature Reserve is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and a Regionally Important Geological Site (RIGS). It’s a former brickworks that has been reclaimed by wildlife. Froglife Friends support our work from £18 a year, and this is a special opportunity for you to see how valuable your donations are for the charity.
 

A Grest crested newt - one of the many species that call Hampton Nature Reserve home

“There is something for absolutely everyone on the Reserve,” adds Liam. “Along with species of amphibians and reptiles, the site is home to water vole, hare and muntjac deer, as well as a variety of bird species such as the red kite and wheatear. Botanists will be keen to get a look at the incredibly rare bearded stonewort- found only in here and one Scottish loch.”

The walk will take place between 11am and 1pm, and attendees are invited to join reserve volunteers for a picnic and bonfire lunch shortly afterwards and even get involved in some extra activities in the afternoon.

The meeting point is the reserve gate, at the end of Nature’s Way immediately off Junction 2 of the A1139. Please wear appropriate clothing and dress for the weather; walking boots with ankle support are recommended as the ground is very uneven.

Please contact us to book your place. You can phone the office on 01733 558844, or email info@froglife.org

You can find out more about Hampton Nature Reserve here.

You can sign up as a Froglife Friend to join us on the walk and support our work here.

Photos: Sam Taylor and Francesca Barker