Swanwick Lakes Wildlife Reserve is an 80 acre reserve near Fareham managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust.

The landscape is almost entirely man-made; the lakes are former clay pits used between the 1930s and 1970s for creating local bricks.

Some twenty years after the pits closed, the authorities built an air traffic control centre nearby.

As part of which they created a nature reserve next door.

What makes Swanwick so special is its scenic lakes, woods and meadows created by nature after industry left the site.

There are many uncommon kinds of wildlife, including great crested newts, nightingales and at least 24 species of butterflies.

With our management and the help of many volunteers, we’ve managed to improve the reserve and the food and shelter it offers different species.

Daily Echo: Swanwick Lakes North East Meadow.

Over recent years we’ve cleared the scrub from the North East Meadow.

That has been done with the help of grazing cattle, which has allowed wildflowers and orchids to flourish in its place.

As a result, the meadow is a buzzing hub of activity for pollinating insects, including bees which are in decline.

Importantly, Swanwick also provides a valuable space for people to relax and learn about wildlife.

The education centre at Swanwick hosts more than 2,500 schoolchildren every year.

Here the youngsters learn valuable lessons on wildlife and conservation.

These “Forest School” sessions take learning outside the classroom.

The feedback from teachers and parents has consistently been that children have become more curious, socially confident and physically coordinated after the sessions.

Many visitors are also from a host of community groups.

These include organisations such as cubs, scouts, brownies and guides and a range of adult groups, clubs and societies.

Trust staff are rightly very proud of the way they help to inspire people across the whole age spectrum by sharing their wildlife knowledge.

At Swanwick, there is also a great emphasis on activities that the whole family can enjoy together.

The team and local volunteers run a range of guided walks, talks and events throughout the year offering a memorable wildlife experience.

The summer months are a great time to visit Swanwick Lakes with dragonflies darting across the water and butterflies dancing over meadows.

You can either make your own way round the three marked paths with our trail guide, or join one of our guided walks.

Why not come along this summer and find out what Swanwick has to offer?

The reserve is located just off Swanwick Lane in Swanwick, about two miles from Bursledon and seven miles from Fareham.

Visit www.hiwwt.org.uk for more information and upcoming events at Swanwick Lakes.