Twitchers given web cam boost (From Wiltshire Times)

Twitchers given web cam boost

11:27am Saturday 13th October 2007 in News By Wiltshire Times Reporter

BIRD watchers are to be given "virtual" access to an out-of-bounds area of a Wiltshire nature reserve.

Visitors to Langford Lakes, near Warminster, can watch live footage of birds in the Wildlife Refuge area thanks to a newly installed web cam, which transmits a feed to a screen in the reserve's education centre.

Birds caught on camera include the common sandpiper, grey heron and cormorant.

Flocks of lesser black backed gull coming in to roost on the lake shore is a sight not to be missed, said the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, which manages the reserve.

Richard Watson, manager of the education centre, said: "The camera will offer visitors virtual access to a part of the reserve that is not open to the public.

"The refuge is a safe haven where birds can breed and roost without human disturbance.

"The camera will give visitors a close up view of these birds as they feed and rest on the shore."

The camera was bought and installed with funding from the south Wiltshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

CPRE treasurer Frank Ellis said: "The reserve is a haven of peace for wildlife and visitors alike, and the provision of the new remote camera adds an extra dimension to the existing hides, allowing visitors to see wildlife in parts of the reserve which are not open to the public."

More than 150 bird species have been recorded on the reserve, which consists of three lakes and a half-mile stretch of the River Wylye.

It was opened in 2002, after an extensive programme of work saw the former commercial fishery - and prior to that, gravel pits - transformed into an ideal place for breeding and over-wintering of birds.

Mr Watson added: "Open water is a rare habitat in this part of Wiltshire, so the reserve provides a welcome home for waterfowl and offers visitors the unique experience of observing these birds from close quarters.

"The lakes are home to a number of native birds such as mallard, tufted duck and great crested grebe.

"In the winter, visitors include wigeon, teal and the occasional goosander. Migrating birds such as waders, terns and osprey use the reserve as an important stopover point in their long journey to warmer climes.

"Spectacular species like kingfisher, little egret and the elusive bittern can also be found here."