Learn more about the wildlife and wild places in Kent and beyond.
The glossy green spears that pierced dense leaf litter in late winter are now transformed into sheets of violet-purple-blue in the woodland edges of the reserve. The magical bluebell weeks began fairly early, a soft scent and a flood of colour that changes with the light and is tricky to catch accurately in photos since the flowers are not one solid colour.
Area Manager, Ian Rickards, takes a moment to reflect on the work at Hothfield Heathlads throughout the summer months.
The mysterious nightjar has fascinated humans for generations and their presence can be an indicator of healthy heathland ecosystems. Learn all about them here.
Hothfield Heathlands volunteer & writer, Margery Thomas, explores what the reserve is like at this time of year.
Margery Thomas, Hothfield Volunteer and regular columnist looks at the lack of butterfly sightings in recent months, the work volunteers are doing to remove bracken and how this all impact the wider management of the last remaining fragments of heathland we have left in Kent.
The writer H E Bates moved from Northamptonshire to Little Chart Forstal in 1931. His deep knowledge of the countryside coloured all his writing. In ‘Through the Woods’ (1936), with fine wood engravings by Agnes Miller Parker, he wrote in loving detail about the plant and animal life in Coldham Wood, which lies due west of the Extension section of Hothfield Heathland.
Margery Thomas explores the beautiful and unique flora and fauna you can look forward to spotting on the Hothfield Heathlands in September.
Kent Wildlife Trust Volunteer, Margery Thomas, takes a look at what Hothfield Heathlands Nature Reserve has in store for us this autumn.
