By Philippa Lyons

The first time I ventured out to a wildlife trust nature reserve I got mightily lost. I had only just returned to England after several years abroad, and was keen to rediscover the wild places of my childhood in Oxfordshire.

A friend had lent me a copy of the trust’s handbook, and I had tried to find Woodsides Meadows: “…take an unmarked lane for half a mile, then right along a green lane, over an un-manned railway crossing and the meadow is on your right...”

Having spent more time searching for the right meadow than it takes to walk right around it, the final straw was to realise I had arrived after the hay had been cut – and the wildlife spectacle was over for that year.

This and similar adventures meant that when I joined the team at BBONT (as it was in 1990), I was determined to make sure there was better signage and information about when to visit the reserves, and to encourage experts to guide visitors around these little gems.

Today there are different and pleasurable ways to explore nature reserves – from joining a wildlife expert on a guided walk, to being accompanied by our latest audio Smartphone Safari downloaded from the BBOWT website. Personally, I have always found that a local volunteer warden is often best placed to show you delights you may otherwise miss.

Over the last 23 years I have enjoyed many wonderful nature moments. One of the most exciting was when we set out to purchase Chimney Nature Reserve in 2003, our largest acquisition at that time.

I was walking with our nature reserves manager, who was explaining to me how important the land was. I looked to each horizon and realised that as far as the eye could see it would soon become a reserve – if we could raise the cash. 

At that moment I understood the meaning of a living landscape where wildlife can move freely to escape flood waters, repopulating ancient meadows and watercourses.

As we walked past thick brambles, my guide explained that beneath the dense undergrowth were old ditches and shallow pools, ideal for otters. Just then we heard the sounds of a large mammal slowly and quietly slipping into unseen water and swimming out of reach.

We looked at each other in amazement – it could only be an otter. We knew they had begun to return to Oxfordshire, and the local lock-keeper had filmed a pair playing in the river at dawn.

Otters in the ditch network would be another reason to buy Chimney. I have had so many other memorable wildlife moments on Oxfordshire nature reserves.

Watching kingfishers dart up and down the stream at Wells Farm, Little Milton. Sitting among the marbled white butterflies as they dance among the bee orchids at Warren Bank and staying on till dark waiting for the glow worms to emerge.

Breathing in the scent of bluebells at Foxholes reserve, leaving a hint of what the ancient Wychwood Forest was like. As I am about to retire from my role as chief executive at BBOWT, I look forward to having the time to add many more unforgettable wildlife moments to my memories. With the support of members, I am confident that BBOWT will continue to be the leading group safeguarding wildlife in this region, protecting habitats and giving people opportunities to enjoy close-up nature moments.

I hope I bump into you on a BBOWT reserve, because there is nowhere as sublime as a piece of the English countryside, protected for ever for people and wildlife.