Thanks for your interest in our Nature Hunt. Unfortunately this is a mobile only experience so please use your phone
Thanks for your interest in our Nature Hunt. Unfortunately this is a mobile only experience so please find us on your mobile device
This bit is for the adult explorers!
This a self guided trail so we’ll need your help to keep our adventurers on track and engaged!
Not everything that we point you to be will found today or easy to spot but encourage your young ones to take time to look around them and listen carefully!
They're going to need all of their senses and exploring should be 95% of the fun!
Tips for Explorers
Be careful! You'll be walking alongside rivers, near trees and through wet grasslands in places so watch your step
Always have the right equipment. If its wet, wear wellies. If its hot, bring water. If too much of either of things, maybe come another day!
Leave nothing but footprints! We hope you see and hear lots of wildlife today but leave nothing behind that could harm them once you're gone
Welcome to Field Centre!
The Rowhill Nature Reserve Society, a charity formed in 1968, conserve and protect the site and open the centre most Sundays 2-4.30pm!
We'll be following the Trail markers today so look for the first one!
Hey there, I am Connie the Coot!
I’m the mascot of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust and your guide for the day!
As we go round, I'll point out some of my friends around the site!
When you are ready, follow the markers up the hill
There is a mini ecosystem up here, with the sandy soil providing a perfect home for particular trees and plants
I'll introduce you as you walk!
A Blackbird lives up to it's name, well at least the males do!
The females are brown with a brown beak, so keep an eye out for them too!
They are common birds, so listen carefully as there is likely to be one about!
A Blackbird lives up to it's name, well at least the males do!
The females are brown with a brown beak, so keep an eye out for them too!
They are common birds, so listen carefully as there is likely to be one about!
A Blackbird lives up to it's name, well at least the males do!
The females are brown with a brown beak, so keep an eye out for them too!
They are common birds, so listen carefully as there is likely to be one about!
Keep following the path down the hill
Can you spot this odd box fixed to the tree high above you?
Who do you think might live there?
The river attracts lots of my aquatic friends!
The banks provide shelter and there is lots of food to be found.
Swipe right and I'll introduce you, maybe you'll even see them today so keep your eyes peeled!
While we have your attention, we have to thank those helped to make our Hunt today
The Drone footage at the start of our trail was filmed and produced by Rob Follett Creative
Much of the photography was taken by Colin Varndell
Wildlife expertise was provided by Steve Bailey and Bernard Baverstock
Now, keep going, turn left and make your way into the main section of Rowhill
Can you see the exposed tree roots on the right of the path as you walk?
Look for a sign telling you about "the source of the River Blackwater"
The river runs from here, all the way to the River Loddon, 22 miles away in Swallowfield
Coppicing....
Coppicing allows the reserve team to make money that they can spend on x, y and z
But if you've come in another season, you might just see the grasses so keep going and see what you can find next!
This is a ChiffChaff
If there is one about, you'll hear them calling their own name!
Listen below and then turn your ears to the Meadow!
This is a ChiffChaff
If there is one about, you'll hear them calling their own name!
Listen below and then turn your ears to the Meadow!
This is a ChiffChaff
If there is one about, you'll hear them calling their own name!
Listen below and then turn your ears to the Meadow!
As you follow the path down the hill, we'll need to engage your ears and eyes
You might see birds flying above you, using the trees to nest and raise their young.
They each have their own call, or song and I'll help you work out who's here if you swipe on!
The bird sat on a fence post or at the top of the trees is a Magpie
You'll spot the white belly first, but then look for blue wings and long tail
They are one of the UKs most easy to spot birds!
This bird might be hard to spot because it is so tiny! But Wrens are VERY loud!
They' are round in shape and like to hide so listen to their song and follow your ears!
A Blackbird lives up to it's name, well at least the males do!
The females are brown with a brown beak, so keep an eye out for them too!
They are common birds, so listen carefully as there is likely to be one about!
The bird sat on a fence post or at the top of the trees is a Magpie
You'll spot the white belly first, but then look for blue wings and long tail
They are one of the UKs most easy to spot birds!
The bird sat on a fence post or at the top of the trees is a Magpie
You'll spot the white belly first, but then look for blue wings and long tail
They are one of the UKs most easy to spot birds!
Who did you see or hear?
I'll introduce you to more of my friends later but maybe you've seen them already!
If you get out of bird early you would be able to hear all of these birds singing together in what is called "The Dawn Chorus"
Follow the big path down the hill until you see a right hand turn just after this tree stump
Stumpery
This is a ChiffChaff
If there is one about, you'll hear them calling their own name!
Listen below and then turn your ears to the Meadow!
You should be stood looking at "Rhododendron avenue"
What can see growing underneath the plants?
That's right, nothing! The Rhododendron is so thick is blocks the light for other plants to grow
Keep following the path through the trees
Look at the woodland floor as you walk
In the autumn, many of the trees drop their leaves, covering the ground.
The leaves are used by insects for blah blah
Something about soil quality
Keep following the path through the trees
Look at the woodland floor as you walk
In the autumn, many of the trees drop their leaves, covering the ground.
The leaves are used by insects for blah blah
Something about soil quality
Can you see the houses beyond the meadow?
Rowhill Nature Reserve sits between housing, roads and industrial buildings, providing a constant backdrop of noise.
But open spaces like these continue to provide a safe haven for our wildlife so its important that people like you protect them for years to come!
After a while you should find yourself looking at the Meadow
If you'd prefer a short route, head into the meadow and click on below
Skip to the next slide
If you want to search for Badgers, see XXXX and keep exploring, turn right and look for the next marker!
You'll come back to the meadow later!
You may have noticed these odd looking fences as you've walked...
They are "Dead hedges"
They are created from various dead bits of tree that are left behind from our maintenance work
It provides an excellent habitat for the insects and birds we've met so far
They are "Dead hedges"
They are created from various dead bits of tree that are left behind from our maintenance work
It provides an excellent habitat for the insects and birds we've met so far
A Blackbird lives up to it's name, well at least the males do!
The females are brown with a brown beak, so keep an eye out for them too!
They are common birds, so listen carefully as there is likely to be one about!
A Blackbird lives up to it's name, well at least the males do!
The females are brown with a brown beak, so keep an eye out for them too!
They are common birds, so listen carefully as there is likely to be one about!
A Blackbird lives up to it's name, well at least the males do!
The females are brown with a brown beak, so keep an eye out for them too!
They are common birds, so listen carefully as there is likely to be one about!
They are "Dead hedges"
They are created from various dead bits of tree that are left behind from our maintenance work
It provides an excellent habitat for the insects and birds we've met so far
Roe Deer also like to nibble on the leaves and shoots of trees along this part of the meadow
It is the largest mammal you might see but they are shy creatures so you'll have to move quietly and slowly to spot one!
If you are visiting in the Summer, this meadow will be full of colour with the wildflowers in bloom!
But if you've come in another season, you might just see the grasses so keep going and see what you can find next!
There is probably a Robin watching you...
It is really easy to spot their red breasts and one will probably be following you about to see if you turf up any worms with your feet!
Listen to their song and see if you can hear them too!
This chunky guy is a Blue Tit
They fly around your garden and local park too and can be spotted by their blue heads and yellow bellies!
In Winter, you'll see them in mixed flocks as they hunt for food with other birds!
This is a ChiffChaff
If there is one about, you'll hear them calling their own name!
Listen below and then turn your ears to the Meadow!
You'll have to be very quiet to see the Dunnock in the hedge row
These shy birds are often seen on their own, shuffling along nervously and flicking their wings
Their call sounds a bit like your teacher writing on the whiteboard with a squeaky pen!
Red Kites are one of the birds of prey who visit the Meadows!
They are known for their distinctive "Kite" shaped tails and red brown bodies and are common across this type of landscape!
Roe Deer also like to nibble on the leaves and shoots of trees along this part of the meadow
It is the largest mammal you might see but they are shy creatures so you'll have to move quietly and slowly to spot one!
If you are visiting in the Summer, this meadow will be full of colour with the wildflowers in bloom!
But if you've come in another season, you might just see the grasses so keep going and see what you can find next!
Explorers, are you enjoying yourselves?
What have you spotted today?
Rowhill changes with the seasons so why not come back another time and see how different it looks?
Make your way back to the car park, following the main path
If you get lost, no matter, that's part of the fun in exploring
Keep listening and looking as you walk!
Explorers, its time for us to end our hunt
I hope you’ve had a great time and we'll see you out in the Blackwater Valley again soon!
Adults, there are a couple more things just for you before you go!
Nature Hunt is a new initiative to get young people out into our natural spaces and build their curiosity about the wildlife they can find
We want our hunts to be engaging for our Explorers but also easy for you to lead so if you have feedback on the hunt, here at Hawley Meadows or any other site, please let us know by emailing dan.lemarquand@bvct.org.uk
And last thing! If your young explorer enjoyed our Nature Hunt, please consider becoming a member of the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust for just £5 a year!
We're a charitable organisation who protect & enhance the valley and your membership fees help us to continue to this
It also means we’ll put together more of these Nature Hunts in future to entertain your little ones!