TWO nature-loving volunteers from Berkshire and Buckinghamshire have been given Lifetime Achievement Awards for more than 100 years' of combined work helping rare birds, flowers and other wildlife.

Jan Legg and Phillip Pratt were recognised by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) 2023 Volunteer Awards.

Legg's work, spanning nearly five decades, involved tracking birds and maintaining habitats across BBOWT reserves in Berkshire.

His collaboration with Newbury Ringing Group since 1967 saw approximately 250,000, showcasing 114 bird species.

Legg also oversees nest boxes across multiple trust sites, instrumental in preserving habitats for vulnerable ground-nesting birds.

Furthermore, the Trust presented eight Outstanding Contribution awards and four group awards.

Jan Legg has helped monitor birds at BBOWT nature reserves in Berkshire for nearly 50 years.

Since 1967, he and other members of the Newbury Ringing Group have ringed approximately 250,000 birds of 114 species.

Jan now monitors and looks after 32 nest boxes at BBOWT's Greenham Common reserve, 64 at the Trust's Snelsmore Common and more at other sites.

This work is invaluable to the Trust to maintain precious habitat for rare and vulnerable ground-nesting birds such as nightjars, skylarks and Dartford warblers at Greenham, Crookham and Snelsmore commons.

Adrian Wallington, Berkshire Reserves Officer at BBOWT, said: "Jan's experience and knowledge of birds, built up over the last 50 years, has been invaluable.

"That is why he has been involved, since 2009, in the ground-nesting bird and seasonal warden projects on Greenham, Crookham and Snelsmore. This award is very well deserved – thank you and congratulations."

Jan Legg said: “I am very grateful to BBOWT staff for the permissions, help, advice, and assistance including contributions to the cost of bird food and the like over the years.

"I particularly enjoy interacting with the seasonal wardens who each year bring a fresh enthusiasm to monitoring on the reserves.”

Phillip Pratt has dedicated more than 30 years of his life to helping the wildlife at Homefield Wood in Buckinghamshire.

The jewel in his crown has helped to increase the number of rare and beautiful military orchids at the site from just a handful in the 1990s to more than 1,000 today.

Starting as an ordinary member of the volunteer work party, he worked his way up to become the volunteer warden in charge of work at the reserve.

Mark Vallance, BBOWT's Buckinghamshire Land Manager, said: "Phillip is truly one of BBOWT's unsung heroes. He has been instrumental in organising and delivering targeted work and managing the chalk grassland, mainly to benefit the military orchid, and this work has been exceptionally successful. It's great to be able to recognise all of this hard work and commitment in this award - thanks so much Phillip."

Phillip Pratt said: “It is very rewarding to be involved for many years with wildlife sites such as Homefield Wood, and to work with knowledgeable and committed people, both staff and fellow volunteers. I am grateful to BBOWT for these ongoing opportunities.”