Bridgwater & Taunton College’s Land and Wildlife Level 2 students recently visited the 500 hectare Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve and were given a site tour by Julie Merrett, Reserve Warden, a former Countryside Management degree student of the College.

The students were given an update on site management, identified native orchids in the wildflower meadow, tested their bird identification knowledge from the Decoy hide, and practised a butterfly transect for species recording.

Level 2 Student Jamie Elson said,

“I love getting outside the classroom to visit nature reserves and improve my identification skills. We saw rare orchids, moths, amphibians, and hobbies that are part of the falcon family. I’m looking forward to my Level 3 course, and learning more.’

Associate Lecturer Emma Butler commented,

“It was a great finish to the year for the students with a field trip to a brilliant local wildlife resource, and giving them the opportunity to share knowledge with Julie and her team at Natural England. Thank you!”

For more information about land-based courses at Bridgwater & Taunton College call our Information & Guidance team on 01278 441234.