Wilder Kent Blog

"Come and share with us what we have seen on our wanderings down a Kent countryside lane". Go on a virtual walk with Lynne and Peter Flower, voluntary wardens for Kent Wildlife Trust.

Kent Wildlife Trust Volunteer Margery Thomas explains the nature of heathland habitat at our stunning Hothfield Heathlands Nature Reserve and how our volunteer teams help us to protect this important and beautiful reserve.

Kent Wildlife Trust Volunteer Margery Thomas explains the nature of heathland habitat at our stunning Hothfield Heathlands Nature Reserve and how our volunteer teams help us to protect this important and beautiful reserve.

Amazingly it is already ten years since Kent Wildlife Trust acquired the site and five years since our volunteer team started work. As the reserve matures we are continually finding new species of wildlife. Here are a few of the recent highlights.

This is the month that the heather bursts into flower, covering our reserve with a carpet of purple flowers. Shading from bracken and birch scrub, has restricted the development of heather, but the recent work to create a more open habitat has allowed new heather seedlings to pop up all over the place.

Our Volunteers do a tremendous job and without them, Polhill Bank wouldn’t be in the state it is currently. With our plans to expand and restore 40 acres of land at Polhill, our volunteers and staff will play a crucial role in giving Polhill a future. Here our warden Paul Glanfield talks about some of the work they have undertaken so far this year

Noted local botanist Joyce Pitt recalls her memories of Polhill Bank. Joyce has worked as a volunteer for Kent Wildlife Trust for many years, including as an Honorary Warden of the reserve.

Kent Wildlife Trust volunteer Margery Thomas talks about a very special visit to Hothfield Heathlands from Clare Balding who came along to meet the reserve's important Konik ponies.