WHEN working out on the nature reserves you never really know what to expect. You can come across all sorts of bizarre and wonderful things but not all of them are good.

However, last week I had one of those good days when you get a chance to get up close and personal with some of the wildlife on the nature reserve.

In the morning I made my way over to Hurcott Pool to help with a project to look at what sorts of fish are to be found there. This involved netting and electro-fishing areas of the pool to sample the fish stocks.

I was amazed to discover the vast numbers of fish that were so easily obtained using these methods and, not being a fisherman, it was one of the few opportunities I have had to get a really good look at this aspect of our aquatic wildlife.

Most of the fish were relatively small but a few 70cm long pike were found. These fish are probably near the top of the food chain within the pool and had quite a fearsome appearance. A few rather good bream were also seen.

While this was going on one of Hurcott's regular birdwatchers called me over to point out a snake lying lifelessly at the edge of the main footpath. It was a grass snake, about 50cm long, and was lying in a crumpled coil with its head held upside down and limp. Its blue, forked tongue was lolling out.

At first glance it appeared dead but I knew grass snakes will fake death if frightened enough and this was the case here.

What was I to do? Normally the best policy would be to leave well alone and let the snake recover but Hurcott's path is busily travelled by many people with dogs. For this reason I decided to move the snake off the path to the other side of a bramble bush.

I did not want to move him too far as it is very late in the year for a grass snake to be out and it would need to get back to its hibernation burrow to avoid the chill of night. I picked it up loosely in my scarf and laid it down in a sunny spot.

Thankfully, after 20 minutes, he was seen gliding away into the bramble thicket.

I thought that was the end of my excitement for the day and I started to make my way back to the vehicle to go home.

Then, in the dusky light on the Rifle Range Nature Reserve, I heard the unmistakable call of a tawny owl. It seemed to be getting nearer and then it flew over the top of the scrub just a metre above my head. This beautiful bird circled over my head for a couple of turns and then disappeared into the dusky sky.

If only every day was this good.