A group of second and third year University Centre Reaseheath students recently undertook a flying visit to Gloucestershire, Devon and Dorset as part of their ‘Biology and Conservation of Birds’ module.

The visit gave the Zoo Management and the Wildlife Conservation and Ecology students an insight into the world of avian management, one of many key topics covered during their studies.

The trip included a visit to the captive waterfowl collection at the Slimbridge Wetland Wildlife Reserve and a guided talk on wetland habitat management.

The students also spent a morning ringing wild common shelduck with the Axe Estuary Ringing Group.

Higher Education lecturer in Animal Science, Finn McCully, said: “The students really enjoyed this practical and informative tour. They even enjoyed staying overnight and setting up an indoor camp in the centre of Lyme Regis, which perfectly suited the tone of the trip. The group were highly independent during the visit, a factor which university students value. Overall, the weekend was a huge success and great addition to their studies at Reaseheath.”