Geography teacher who visited every BBOWT reserve heralds their healing power - Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust
Amateur wildlife photographer went to all 83 sites in one year and documented his discoveries.
An amateur photographer has completed his challenge to visit every BBOWT nature reserve in one year.
Jon Mason travelled to 83 sites across the three counties to show how easy it is for local people to see incredible wildlife on their doorstep.
Having shared stunning photographs and videos from his challenge on Instagram all year, he is now planning a series of talks about his year of wild encounters with BBOWT.
Mr Mason, who lives with his wife and daughter near Bledlow, said: “There is no doubt that immersing yourself in nature is enormously healing in so many ways and an antidote to the hurtle of everyday life. As a teacher I live my life by bells and timetables and it’s always a tonic to slow down - or even stop and stand still - and just let the world of nature revolve around you. Although it’s difficult to escape the sound of overhead aircraft completely, there is a lovely sense of solitude and isolation where you can be alone with just your thoughts for company. Stress and tension just drain away. It would have been an interesting experiment to measure my blood pressure before and after each visit.”
The geography teacher, who works at a large secondary school in London, started his challenge on New Year’s Day 2023 by climbing up Chinnor Hill and watching the first winter sunset of the year.
After that he timed visits to coincide with seasonal highlights, traveling to the Trust’s Inkpen Crocus Field at the start of spring to see the famous carpet of purple flowers, going to Iffley Meadows in Oxford in April to catch the popular snake’s-head fritillaries, and in the autumn exploring the golden beech leaves at Hog and Hollowhill Woods near Marlow.
Posted On: 24/01/2024
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