An exciting new addition to the Nunnery Lakes Reserve is an interpretive Info Point device, allowing visitors to discover more about the site’s habitats, wildlife and history, in situ!
British Trust of Ornithology’s flagship Nunnery Lakes Reserve is popular with local residents, whether that’s for watching and photographing nature, to get some exercise or simply soak up the peaceful ambience of the place. Using Info Point Solar, visitors can now explore a wealth of information about the four main habitats at the Nunnery Lakes (wet woodland, grassland, wet meadows and the lakes themselves), including photos, sound recordings and fun facts about some of the key species that live there.
Timeline and virtual flight
A timeline reveals some of the main changes that have taken place over the last four decades to make the reserve an even better place for wildlife. There’s even an opportunity to take a virtual flight over the reserve during the floods of winter 2020/21.
The Info Point Solar has been installed in a custom enclosure within in a fence to protect it from grazing livestock on a piece of land that is not open to the public.
We’re pleased to report the BTO Info Point is up and running at the Nunnery Lakes. A few members of staff and local birdwatchers tried it out last month: it was working well and we had positive feedback so have installed the interpretation board with QR codes. It is now available to the public.
The overall aim is to transform the quantity and quality of interpretation content available at some key sites in our area. This helps new audiences to be more aware of Brecks heritage and able to access a wider range of interpretative material at remote locations, where connectivity can be poor.
Nick Moran, Training Manager, BTO
Info Point provides offline WiFi access to digital content about the reserve, directly to a smartphone. Access is via a simple process of scanning two QR codes:
- one to connect to the Info Point network
- the second to open the content on the phone’s web browser.
These codes, along with information about Info Point and three other local ‘Heritage Hotspots’, can be found on a sign near the viewing platform, at the south end of the reserve’s network of permissive paths.
Partnership scheme
The Brecks Fen Edge & Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme—set up to conserve and celebrate the unique heritage of the Norfolk and Suffolk Brecks—has funded the installation of four Info Point devices in the local area, along with training for staff at each site to create and add content.
It also gives schools more access to heritage education content, and make it easier for site managers like BTO to share information with visitors.
Relevant case studies
Union Chain Bridge
The world-famous Union Chain Bridge connecting England and Scotland has re-opened with solar-powered interpretation.
Avalon Marshes
Solar-powered visitor experiences have been installed at two flagship Somerset Wildlife Trust reserves.
Nant Llwynog Park Bedlinog
A solar-powered digital visitor sign near Merthyr Tydfil in south Wales.
