The next work party at the WWA Reserve is 24th September and the main jobs to do are scything the meadow, cutting back willow herb and general maintenance.  This is a special work party as we are celebrating 25 years since the opening of the Reserve.  To say thank you to all of the volunteers who have helped over the past year we will be having a BBQ after the work is done and we are inviting volunteers and partners/close family to share this birthday. It will also be an opportunity to learn about how the WWA started from photographs of the early days and talking to some founder members.

If it is your first time coming along to a work party, we start around 10-00 and provide gloves and tools.  When you arrive please find someone wearing a green top with heron logo and introduce yourself so that we can welcome you to our work party.

It has been mentioned that this page is a bit out of sync with the seasons, and so here’s a view shot in September, but this was September 1992 – our formal open day. Star guest David Bellamy has his back to the camera though …..

but just to show that things have been happening, our resident pair of woodpecker busy earlier this year …

Springtime is coming!

With an obvious eye for a view, Soonu Dilke sent us this photo of the Mere (with the willow basket sculpture on the opposite bank) taken on a sunny afternoon in March…

Many thanks Soonu, we look forward to more of your photos in the future.

a misty, moisty morning view, recently provided by one of our members

the best time to appreciate the aesthetics of our shed?

 It’s that time of year.

A heron on sentry duty in the willow tree, looking for a snack in or on the water below. Duckling and fish as likely targets.

….and a fox lurking in the undergrowth, probably heading for nearby back gardens

The flooding of a year ago is practically forgotten.

A clear, cold and still morning on site to do a bit of general tidying and a few sightings in the process, all seen on the mere within 15 minutes or so;

………… a kingfisher enjoying the sunshine

a tufted duck …….

the ubiquitous mallard showing his colours …….

……………………..  and is that a little grebe? ….

Spring is almost sprung!

7th February, the Ver overflows …

 and a previously waterlogged path disappears

 mallard head for the high ground

and on the 9th Feb the water level rises to an unprecedented level ….

when will it end?!

This female ‘leaflitter crab spider’ – Ozyptila praticola – was found at the reserve yesterday on an ivy-covered tree trunk beside the bog.  These spiders are very well camouflaged amongst earth or on tree bark and they move very slowly, playing a sit-and-wait game to capture their prey rather than making a web or actively hunting.  They will also rely on their camouflage or play dead (thanatosis) rather than run away if disturbed.  Ozyptila praticola are fairly common in southern England.