Five free environmental events aimed at raising the profile of the Hook-with-Warsash nature reserve are being held this month.
The Warsash and Locks Heath Streams Project is designed to help people living nearby become more involved with their local green space and find out about the environmental importance of Hook Lake.
Groundwork Solent has organised the events, in partnership with Fareham Borough Council, the Environment Agency, and Hampshire County Council.
The Hook-with-Warsash local nature reserve is approximately 500 acres running alongside the mouth of the River Hamble and contains a variety of important habitats from mudflats to grassland and mature woodland.
The area is home to an array of rare plants and wildlife. Hook Lake contains a variety of wildlife, particularly birds such as Warblers, Buntings, Herons and Kingfishers.
Executive Member for the Environment at Fareham Borough Council, Councillor Keith Evans, said: “These events are a great way for people of all ages to find out more about one of the borough’s biggest environmental assets.
“I’d encourage anyone to go along to one of these sessions and help preserve them in the future.”
The events are:
- May 11, 10am – Saturday Stroll. Meeting point – car park past the Hook Lake bridge on Newtown Road. A family Saturday stroll to learn about the variety of different bird species from Warblers to Kingfishers that inhabit the area.
- May 16, 6.30pm – Hook Lake Wander Walk. Meeting point – Passage Lane Car Park. Local historyl expert Bryan Woodford talks about the diverse history of Hook Lake and the Hook with Warsash local nature reserve and how the past has shaped the modern day appearance of this diverse habitat.
- May 27, 11am – Muddy Wellies: Pond and Puddle Dipping. Meeting point – St Tristan Close. Learn about the diverse species that can be found in the puddles, ponds and aquatic environments near Hook Lake.
- May 28, 7.30pm – Dusk Bat Walk. Meeting point – New Road (SO31 9SB) near to Warsash Common. Learn all about the diverse and mysterious lives of the range of bat species that reside around Hook Lake. Don’t forget to bring along a torch!
- May 30, 11am – the Big Bird Box Build. Meeting point – New Road (SO31 9SB) near to Warsash Common. Design and camouflage your own bird box and learn about the diverse range of bird species that will take advantage of your custom made habitats.
For more information about the ‘Locks Heath stream Project’, please contact Chris Smith on 023 8033 8550 or email christopher.smith@groundwork.