Page 16 - Thrapston Life August 2024

SUMMER
EVENTS
The Wildlife Trust
The Wildlife Trusts’ Nene Valley reserves have a packed schedule of events for the summer holidays to interest the whole family.
remain in a fenced off area, and as they are beavers it cannot be made from wood, or it won’t last long! Once the enclosure is ready, we will be installing information boards telling the story
of the beavers’ return to our countryside before the release in Autumn or Winter. The project is supported by Anglian Water.
Our two visitor centres: one at the Nene Wetlands in Rushden Lakes and the other at Summer Leys nature reserve, just outside of Wellingborough, are hosting wildlife events and activities for all ages. Families and children will be able to join in pond dipping, minibeasting, guided walks, bushcraft, butterfly surveys and more.
For adults, there are monthly Wildlife Wanders where you can enjoy a guided walk with like-minded people.
we are busy preparing for the arrival of a pair of beavers
Just over the border in Bedfordshire, only 10 minutes from Rushden, we have just launched our biggest appeal ever to buy a site which is home to nightingales, turtle doves and lots more species. Strawberry Hill was left to go wild by
a farmer more than 30 years ago and
the 377 acre site is now the largest area
There is always plenty to see and do at
the centres too – pop in to take a look at a range of birds nests, feathers and animal skulls, and take time to do some colouring in. On selected days there are drop in crafts, meaning you can turn up without booking to make a range of wildlife crafts. For more information and to book on an event visit wildlifebcn.org/events
Also, at the Nene Wetlands we are busy preparing for the arrival of a pair of beavers which are to be released there later this year. The next thing to do to get ready is the construction of a fence. Our licence states that they must
of shrubland and young woodland in Central England. We have secured half the site and now need to raise £1.5million to save the rest.
Nightingales in the UK have declined by 90% and are in danger of disappearing from our countryside entirely. Changes in woodland and a lack of the dense shrubland favoured by the species has led to its catastrophic decline.
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Donations can be made at
www.wildlifebcn.org/strawberryhillappeal