Kent Wildlife Trust is reminding people visiting nature reserves to leave no trace after wardens binned dog poo, cleaned graffiti and litter picked after an influx of visitors at the weekend.
By August, floral glory has passed from the orchids (heath spotted, southern marsh and a few large hybrids) to the heather or ling. As ever, we hope for a protracted display of purple in the heathy areas, which is likely if the cool nights persist. Orchid seed is now ripening. Dust-like, dispersed on the wind, the seed contains no nutrients to support germination so needs a mycorrhizal fungus to supply nutrients from the soil to its roots. From seed to flowering takes three years or more.
Quilters Wood Reserve is an area of ancient semi natural woodland and chalk grassland situated near Bridge, Canterbury.
The reserve runs along the scarp slope and consists of a mosaic of habitats from chalk grassland through scrub to woodland. Please note this reserve is not open to the public.
Located next to an industrial estate on the outskirts of Dover, it is hard to believe a nature reserve is there when driving through the estate.
The Culand Pits are a dramatic reminder of the role the cement industry played in shaping the landscape in the Medway Valley. The site is owned by Trenport Investments Ltd who fund the management.
One of Kent Wildlife Trust’s newest Dover reserves, Coombe is undergoing management to restore chalk downland to the reserve, with a future goal to re-introduce frog orchids back to the site.
Nina Jones, Protected Area Warden takes a moment ahead of National Marine Week to explain what we can individually and collectively do to help restore and protect nature on our coasts.
Since 2022, the UK has sworn in four new prime ministers, the interest rate has risen from 0.25% to 5.25%, and, as of the 18th July, bison have been in the Blean for two whole years.
The wettest winters and springs on record have had at least one benefit. The ponds and pools across Hothfield Heathlands are full of water!
