Thames Young Mariners' nature area
Creatures still visiting Thames Young Mariners whilst the gates are temporarily closed to humans!
We know that the outdoors is an amazing place to learn in new and exciting ways.
Surrey Outdoor Learning and Development's outdoor learning centres are not just about providing quality, outcome driven learning through adventurous activities. They are also for our human visitors to appreciate and nurture the local environment including the creatures who have taken up residence as well.
Whilst we have temporarily closed the grounds of our centres, they are continuing to be maintained and developed to improve the experience our visiting groups will have during their trips when we can open again.
Over several years, the SOLD team at Thames Young Mariners in Ham near Richmond, have been developing their 'Nature Area' and leaving it to become wild to encourage the local wildlife to visit, in particular endangered species.
These include:
The area around Thames Young Mariners, Ham Lands, is well known as an excellent bat environment with at least seven different species identified, the pipistrelle bat being the most regular of visitors. Our bat boxes at the centre are in the perfect locations for these mammals as they like to feed on the insects that live near water, so siting our bat boxes near our lake provides an ideal roosting spot.
Nocturnal and very shy creatures, the badger who normally emerges at dusk to feed are becoming more regular visitors. They love nothing better than digging in the wood chipped areas for worms and make use of the facilities by using the surrounding area for their latrines! They love digging up the grass as they burrow to create their setts for their close knit family groups.
The stag beetle is the UK's largest beetle and is found in South East England, particularly in South and West London. So stag beetles are making themselves very much at home in our 'bug hotel' made from old rotting wood! They love to eat this decaying mass and, in the process, return important minerals to the soil. The hotel is not exclusive to stag beetles, it is open for business for many other mini beast residents such as woodlice, ants and centipedes.
Information boards are located around these habitats so that our human visitors can learn more about the creatures who share the outdoor learning space with them.
Further developments to the nature area at Thames Young Mariners are currently underway to include an allotment project in one of the old rowing boats. Perfect for young people to nurture and learn through gardening activities during their visit.
Below are images from the TYM nature area including a bat box, wild flower circle, nature area approach and one of the area's many visitors, a butterfly.
