About the event

Sam Martin, Reserve Officer in the central team of the Hampshire & IOW Wildlife Trust will show us round the Hockley farm  which is used as a hub for the Trust's conservation grazing animals.  This allows the Trust to be much more flexible and proactive with conservation grazing on their nature reserves across southern Hampshire. It is also somewhere quiet to go when an animal might need a bit of extra care. Sam will be explaining how the farm is sensitively managed to ensure that both livestock and wildlife have the space to thrive. He will take us on a guided walk through the water meadows alongside the River Itchen with views across the valley. The reserve has a diverse mix of habitats including flower-rich fen meadow, lowland neutral grassland, reedbed and willow carr. This in turn supports a variety of species such as the beautiful southern marsh orchid and delicate cuckoo flower.  Kingfishers and buzzards can be spotted all year round, whilst in the summer swifts, swallows and house martins can be seen swooping over the meadows.