JOURNALIST and natural history author Peter Marren treated nature lovers to a wildlife walk at the Stonebridge Wild River Reserve in Marlborough.

From the inhabitants of the River Kennet to the dead wood on land that is a haven for bats, birds, insects and fungi, Mr Marren combined facts and observations with folklore and history at the event last weekend organised by charity group Action for the River Kennet as part of world rivers day.

The highlight of the day was the sighting of a water vole feeding on marginal vegetation in the River Kennet opposite the seating area at the end of the boardwalk on the north riverbank.

ARK project officer Anna Forbes said: "Nationally water voles are in real trouble, they are Britain's fastest declining mammal. Predation by mink and loss of habitat are their biggest threats.

“It is so exciting when people have an encounter with the water voles and realise what special places chalk streams are.”

The charity’s bat walk and talk night earlier this month also attracted more than 20 people, as well as bats.

ARK welcomed back the Bat Conservation Trust's James Shipman who led an informative and walk around the Wild River Reserve, culminating in a close encounter for everybody with a daubenton's bat caught in a mist net set up across the River Kennet at the far end of the meadow.

Ms Forbes added: “Bat detectors were used to pick up the different bat species calls and everyone had fantastic views of pipistrelle and daubenton's flying just above our heads and across the river respectively.

“It was brilliant to see everyone enjoying the nocturnal wildlife at Stonebridge."