A visit to a trust nature reserve offers the chance to experience all sorts of wildlife, maybe woodpeckers, barn owls, skylarks and bluebell woods.

These experiences, once an everyday sight, are increasingly rare.

When woodlands, wildflower meadows, chalk downland and wetlands started to vanish under the plough or concrete, the trust decided to protect wildlife and the places where it lives, by acquiring land and setting up nature reserves.

In this way it hopes to ensure that the bluebells and barn owls are there for generations to see.

Why not buy a cow?

The organisation is currently raising money to buy rare breed cows for Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve to re-introduce traditional hay meadow management. This will help restore the land to a beautiful flower-rich meadow. If you would like to donate a cash gift, however small, contact the trust on (01380) 725670.

Information for visitors

For detailed information about specific reserves visit www.wiltshirewildlife.org A free detailed fact sheet may also be available. Contact the trust head office for details on (01380) 725670.

Can you travel to one of the nature reserves by public transport or by bicycle? Many are located in quiet, unspoilt parts of the county and some reserves have cycle stands at the entrance. The Wiltshire Busline contact number is (08457) 090899 and rail enquiries is (08457) 484950.

In the interest of wildlife the trust asks that dogs are kept under control or on a lead when visiting the reserves.

Cockey Down Reserve

A walk to this magnificent chalk downland reserve will reveal superb views of Salisbury cathedral spire and the surrounding countryside.

There are thousands of orchids and other chalk downland flowers to see in June and July. The grassland is grazed by cattle. Plants include: fragrant orchids, pyramidal orchids and bastard toadflax.

Cockey Down is best visited in spring and summer, when insects such as the hornet robber-fly, and butterflies such as chalkhill blue, marbled white and dark green fritillary find a home among the stunning tapestry of wildflowers.

Getting there: best reached via a footpath from Laverstock, northeast of Salisbury. From Duck Inn in Laverstock, follow the public footpath for 30 minutes, along hedgerows, beech woodland and onto the chalk slope (follow the yellow arrows). The reserve entrance (a kissing gate) is located in the middle of the fence line, half-way down a slope.