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On Tuesday 25th June, the morning was spent being shown around the works farm yard by Reserve Ranger, Ian. Discussion was had about the different types of tools and equipment used for reserve management and conservation, and Ian told everyone about the cattle herd and sheep flock at Idle Valley and how they are used for conservation grazing.

In the afternoon, the group joined Reserve Ranger, Charleen for a walk round Belmoor lake, to carry out a sample Wetland Bird Survey (WEBS) count. Unfortunately, it was a very wet day, and not great conditions for bird watching, but we did see Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Coots, Moorhen, Tufted ducks, Black headed gulls, Mallards and Teal to name but a few! As we walked round, everyone discussed different ways the site is managed for conservation and the importance of species monitoring and linking this in with reserve management. Everyone was also shown the eel pass, which connects Belmoor lake to the river Idle, helping eels and fish to move between the two.

The first day of our John Muir Discovery Award at Idle Valley Nature Reserve on Monday 24th June, was the beginning of four pretty wet and rainy, but full of wildlife days! We had six participants - Jo, Rob, Tristan, Joshua, Alicja and Adam - doing the Award over the full four days, and three others who could only attend for part of the time.

Idle Valley is a 450ha network of lakes, wetland, grassland and scrub, an important habitat for wading birds and forms part of a SSSI, so there is lots to discover!

We started in the education centre, which overlooks the beautiful wetlands and the group met to learn more about the Working for Nature project who John Muir was and his amazing life. Our Reserves Ranger Charleen then introduced the the group to the site and from there, everyone went on walk along the 'Wardler Walk' route, heading north, discovering the variety of habitats along the way. The group joined a volunteer work party just south of Bellmoor Ponds, where Charleen introduced the group to a very large patch of the Himalayan Balsam. Charleen explained to the group, that this plant is a non-native, invasive species that needs to be controlled under the Wildlife legislation. The group were shown how to identify the Balsam and literally pull it up from the ground, and to discard it in piles so that it doesn't re-root. The plant stem is a bit like celery, and makes a satisfying crunch when you pull it up! The weather was changeable but everyone got stuck in and pulled lots of balsam - as you can see from the photos!