Press Release

23/11 5 September 2011 For immediate use

Heathland restoration walks at Greenham Common

Rare birds and unusual butterflies are among the wildlife to benefit from expanding the heathland around Greenham Common this winter. On Sunday 18 September, the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust is leading two walks, at Crookham Common East, and the Old Bomb Site in Bowdown Woods, to give local people more information. Jacky Akam, West Berkshire Living Landscape project manager with the local Wildlife Trust explains: Lowland heath is a nationally important habitat and very rare, which is why were linking up the remaining fragments around Greenham Common. Contractors will be at the Old Bomb Site in Bowdown Woods in December to clear scrub and young trees to link the fragments of remaining heath with the larger areas on Greenham Common. Seeds of heather and other heathland plants that are lying dormant in the soil will revive in the cleared areas to regenerate typical heath habitats, says Jacky. This will help ground-nesting birds like the nightjar, woodlark and Dartford warbler to feed and nest across a larger area, hopefully increasing their numbers. The Wildlife Trust is continuing with heathland restoration work started last winter at Crookham Common East. This revival of the heathland was so successful that nightjar and woodlark were recorded here for the first time in several years. Hilary Cole, West Berkshire Council's Executive Councillor for Environment & Leisure, says: The walks will provide a great opportunity for local people to enjoy the wonderful local wildlife, while learning about the benefits of expanding the important heathland around the Common." Both of the two-hour walks on Sunday 18 September will be led by the Wildlife Trust and West Berkshire Councils Countryside Service. The Crookham Common East walk starts at 10.30am from the Crookham Common car park. The Bowdown Woods walk starts at 2pm from the Old Bomb Site car park. Booking information from Jacky Akam, 01635 500886, jackyakam@bbowt.org.uk. Ends Images of heathland wildlife are available from wendytobitt@bbowt.org.uk.

Contacts Wendy Tobitt, Media & Campaigns Manager Tel: 01865 788318

Mobile: 07748 641452 Email: wendytobitt@bbowt.org.uk Notes to editors

Work at Crookham Common East and Bowdown Woods Areas where work will be carried out will be clearly marked out on site, and maps are available on the West Berkshire Living Landscape page on www.bbowt.org.uk. The exact timing of work during November and December depends on the weather and contractors availability. Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) is one of 47 Wildlife Trusts across the UK working to achieve the shared aim of securing a better future for wildlife. BBOWTs vision is to create a region rich in wildlife and appreciated by all. BBOWT manages 80 nature reserves across the three counties, works with other agencies and individuals to help safeguard the wider countryside, and aims to inspire people to take action for wildlife. BBOWT has over 52,000 members. Find out more at www.bbowt.org.uk. The Wildlife Trusts is a partnership of 47 local Wildlife Trusts across the UK, plus the Isle of Man and Alderney. The vision is an environment richer in wildlife for everyone and it is the largest UK charity dedicated to conserving all our habitats and species, with a membership of more than 800,000 people including 135,000 junior members. The Wildlife Trusts campaign for the protection of wildlife and invest in the future by helping people of all ages to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of wildlife. Collectively, the Trusts also manage more than 2,200 nature reserves spanning over 84,000 hectares. For further information please visit www.wildlifetrusts.org.