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.

Springtime is always busy for us at the Swanwick Lakes Nature Reserve. But there’s another milestone that’s marked at this time of year, the start of breeding season for our frogs and toads. However, sometimes they need a helping hand getting back to the body of water they’re trying to return to.

Jess Parsons is the Wilder Schools and Communities Officer for HIWWT at Swanwick Lakes. She has written a guest blog for NATS.

This month, we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Swanwick Lakes partnership between NATS and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.