Bookings are now being taken for this year’s trips to Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s Looe Island Nature Reserve and a place on their guided walks. 

It all begins with a boat trip, followed by a guided tour with the warden around the island which, with its various habitats, provides a quiet haven for wildlife. 

Boats leave from Looe’s fishing harbour, and on the island the resident Trust warden will tell visitors all about its nature and history, including the story of how the Atkins sisters bought the island in the 1960s and later bequeathed it to Cornwall Wildlife Trust. 

Wardens will escort visitors around the island and there’s a chance to explore or join the warden for a slide show in Jetty Cottage. The whole trip lasts around three-and-a-half hours. 

The wardens will explain how the island nature reserve is home to many nesting sea birds such as cormorants, shags, fulmars and oystercatchers. 

It has the largest breeding colony in Cornwall of the great black-backed gull, which has a huge wing span of around 1.5m. 

Dates this year are: Thursday, March 29; Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 28; Sunday, May 13; Tuesday, June 12; Thursday July 12; Thursday, July 26; Sunday, September 23; and Sunday, October 7. 

In addition there are three speciality walks, each guided by local experts: Saturday, May 12 and Saturday, September 8 – History of Looe Island with Mark Camp; Monday, May 28 – Birds of Looe Island (bring your binoculars), with Derek Spooner.

Cornwall Wildlife Trust’swebsite is www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk