Benefits and services for paid up members:

• Access to a members area on the website

Downloadable documents the current year’s padlock number and code of conduct, lists of birds, when and where to find them, maps etc.

• Access to Lea Farm’s ‘Ron Bryant Hide’

Lea Farm Lake is a private reserve owned by LWT, thanks to Ron Bryant buying it and transferring ownership. North of Lavell’s Lake, managed for conservation and bird watching interests by LWT, the lake and its large scrape can only be viewed from the subscription hide, accessed via the Loddon footpath.

It is essential everyone downloads and follows the code of conduct for the hide, which is confidential to members.  By using the hide, members are agreeing to uphold the code of conduct which is there to ensure the hide stays secure.

Guidance on using the hide and padlocks

It is vital ALL members ensure and double check the hide is left secure, viewing flaps bolted closed and both combination locks closed, numbers scrambled and facing forward.

Please watch these short video clips showing you how to use the padlocks and leave the hide secure;

How you should find and leave the gates

Using the padlocks

Locking up

Leaving the hide secure

• Only LWT Bird News (OLBN) on WhatsApp

LWT members can subscribe to receive news of rare/uncommon bird sightings – This service is ONLY AVAILABLE ON SMARTPHONES using WhatsApp, any member can join for a subscription of £2.00 per year. The service is administrated by Fraser Cottington.

LWT WhatsApp Rules for : Only LWT Bird News (OLBN)

1. The Only LWT Bird News thread is for all of Dinton, Lavell’s, Lea Farm Lake and landfill. Posts can include sightings of birds flying in our direction, or adjacent areas.
2. Please follow this format posting : Bird species, location, sex, age, what it is doing, if flying give the direction of travel and if it has left.
3. Asking where a bird is, was last seen, if it’s still present, direction of flight etc. are all permitted.
4. Protect birds from avoidable disturbance – DO NOT share bird nest locations
5. Voice notes instead of typed ones are fine
6. No emojis, reactions, thumbs ups, or comments on posts or pictures, DM individuals if you wish
7. Bad language, or mocking another person or their posts are unacceptable
8. Moderators remove unwanted posts, if your post is removed and don’t know why, message Fraser

To keep things nice and simple;

1. LWT use ‘Notices’ to communicate urgent and up to the minute messages to members
   • Notifications about work parties and other field activity allow us to help members avoid disappointment when visiting.
   • Path, or road closures due to things like flooding and downed trees, or car crime etc.
   • LWT requests for help
2. ‘Wildlife Chat’ can be about any nature subject relevant to Dinton and our areas
   • Off topic and area questions are allowed, but responses MUST be Direct Messaged to the original person E.G. I ask where I can buy bird food, or see a species not seen at DP, anyone responding must click on my name and answer directly to me, not the group
   • Not for expressing opinions on others posts, sarcasm or anything other than wildlife posts, or questions
   • If in doubt message Fraser

NOTE: Joining the group means your mobile number is visible to the other members of the group, but not your name, unless you are already in their contacts. WhatsApp – For more information on this app and the 65p per year annual charge after the first year, visit https://www.whatsapp.com/legal/

OLBN – Subscribing, adding and renewal

Joining – First time new members to LWT can subscribe when registering via our become a member page.

Adding – Existing LWT members can simply subscribe via our donate page and use the reference OLBN, or go to LWT login and subscribe from there.

Renewal – As above if you need to renew your LBN Subscription and pay using Paypal, log in, click donate £2.00 and the system can track your payment to your membership. If you do not use, or wish to use Paypal, please contact the Membership Secretary via lavellswt@gmail.com

• If you have any trouble logging in, you can still use Paypal by making the £2.00 annual subscription and putting your name and mobile number in the “Instructions to seller” box and using the reference OLBN

• Or send the application form and a cheque for £2.00 to The Treasurer, Lavell’s Wetland Trust, c/o Dinton Pastures Countryside Service, Davis Street, Hurst, Reading, RG10 0TH.
• Pay by bank transfer to Lavell’s Wetland Trust, with reference BN, to Sort code 40-34-18 Account 64675509.
• If you renew your subscription via standing order (SO), it will be simpler to delete the old SO and create a new one for your annual subscription, bird news and any donation you wish to make. Our bank details are: Lavells Wetland Trust, HSBC, Newcastle/Tyne City Branch, 110 Grey Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6JG:  Sort code 40-34-18 Account 64675509 (please add the reference “LWT last name”)