Centre Lake photograph by Kate Garnham

Once a series of clay pits for the neighbouring Bursledon Brickworks, the now beautiful oasis of the Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve is abuzz with summer activity and successes from nature.

The reserve, which sits alongside the NATS operational centre in Hampshire, is a partnership project between the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and NATS. Last year we celebrated three decades of working together at the site. And now as we are enjoying summer, we celebrate so many other achievements.

The nature reserve team’s primary mission and workload is to support our programme of conservation and restoration for wildlife, creating a ‘wilder’ Hampshire and putting nature in recovery. All the hard work and efforts have certainly been paying off as we see nature’s beauty emerge in these milder, summer months.

The old clay pits are now our five scenic lakes, and the entire reserve is home to thriving habitats with native trees, wildflowers and rich meadows supporting local wildlife. In fact, during last year’s butterfly survey, 24 different species were counted, with the meadow brown boasting the highest population. The 2024 survey is currently underway, and we hope to see an increase in species and the overall count.

White Admiral butterfly photograph by Graham Dennis   New Lake photograph by Kate Garnham

We’ve been lucky enough to welcome some rather rare visitors to the reserve too. Breeding pairs of the red-listed marsh tit have been confirmed on-site, which is welcome news as their numbers have been in decline since monitoring began in the 1960s.

Additionally, our in-house ecology team discovered some great-crested newts, which are a protected species due to declining numbers. The lakes and ponds have also been a hot spot for dragonflies and damselflies, and we’ve had sightings of the downy emerald dragonfly darting around the water’s edges at the reserve. These findings emphasise the importance of providing a suitable habitat for vulnerable species.

The education centre and wildlife garden are also undergoing some changes this season with the installation of solar panels on the roof, and the upcoming installation of a raised wheelchair accessible pond within the garden.

There’s always something to admire, whatever the season, and we continue to welcome everyone to the reserve. In fact, since September last year, we have been joined by every new apprentice or graduate to NATS – something we hope to continue year on year. We’re grateful to NATS for their support and partnership, and we look forward to reaching more people through the wonder of wildlife.

Images: © Kate Garnham and Graham Dennis

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