A walk on the dark side . . .

TOMORROW (Friday) sees the start of the 2008 programme of events around Burrator.

Organised and run by the conservation team at South West Lakes Trust, there is something for everyone.

For night owls, A Walk on the Dark Side tomorrow takes advantage of the full moon with a barbecue and three-hour wildlife walk in search of bats, deer and nightjar, from 7.30pm.

Then for earlybirds, a gentle two-and-a-half hour walk starts at 5.30 the next morning around the reservoir edge to watch the sun rise, and identify landmarks and wildlife, accompanied by the dawn chorus.

Walkers are rewarded with bacon butties on return. Both walks start from the forestry yard opposite Burrator Lodge.

On the other side of the reservoir, also on August 16, is a dragonfly workshop which starts from the arboretum car park at 10.30am. During the two-hour walk around the water, you can learn to identify the fascinating range of dragonflies along the margins.