Two nature lovers have been recognised with Lifetime Achievement Awards after volunteering at a wildlife trust for more than 40 years between them.

John Melling and Graeme Stewart were honoured by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) at its 2024 Volunteer Awards for their long-term commitment to helping birds and other wildlife.

Mr Stewart has been taking weekly counts of the birds around the lake at the trust's Nature Discovery Centre in Thatcham for the last 23 years.

Graeme StewartGraeme Stewart (Image: BBOWT) The data he has collected has contributed towards both the local and national trends for these populations.

He also leads bird walks on sites such as Greenham Common and Thatcham Reedbeds in West Berkshire.

Mr Stewart said: "It was much to my amazement and surprise to read an email from chief executive Estelle Bailey informing me that I was going to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for doing something I enjoy.

"It is always a pleasure to lead walks and to have the opportunity to input what I have learnt about birds and bird watching over the years.

"It is a great joy to share knowledge, encourage others and interact with them.”

Roger Stace, senior land manager at BBOWT, said: "Having been on Graeme’s walks myself a number of times, I have first-hand experience of just how much enthusiasm and expertise he has.

"A huge thank you to Graeme for all your hard work, dedication, and expertise. You’ve thoroughly deserved this award."

Mr Melling has been monitoring birds at BBOWT’s Chimney Meadows nature reserve in Oxfordshire since 2004.

John MellingJohn Melling (Image: BBOWT)

His monthly bird transect walks have helped the reserve and ecology teams to gain a better understanding of the bird life at Chimney Meadows.

He said: "As one of BBOWT’s army of volunteer recorders, I was delighted to find the contribution of the trust’s survey team recognised publicly.

"The quiet makes Chimney Meadows a great place to record the changing bird life against a background of willows, water and meadows."

Colin Williams, senior ecologist at BBOWT, added: "John is a first-class birdwatcher with huge amounts of knowledge and fantastic field skills.

"We’ve been lucky that he has been part of our reserves monitoring programme. This award is richly deserved - congratulations."

Connie ButlerConnie Butler (Image: BBOWT) Elsewhere, the Outstanding Contribution by a Young Volunteer Award, new for 2024, went to 21-year-old Connie Butler, a volunteer with the Young Rangers and Teen Rangers groups which teach children and teenagers about the natural world and encourage them to look after local wild spaces.

Ms Butler said: "I just love teaching them about nature and getting them outside to enjoy what there is close to their home.”