Elaine Ingram of the wildlife trust says she is still fascinated by the natural world

As a child I remember going for walks at Warburg Nature Reserve, hidden away deep in the Chiltern Hills near Nettlebed. The woodland felt magical and exciting to me, a special world of its own, full of creatures that I was discovering for the first time. It was those childhood memories that inspired me to create the Nature Detectives Trail at Warburg. I wanted to help children visiting the reserve to have those feelings of excitement too as they discovered the mysteries and wonders of nature. One thing I love doing is searching for clues to the secretive wildlife that lives there.

It’s been incredibly muddy recently, perfect conditions for nature detectives, and I spotted an interesting footprint. There were five toes in row with a large pad. It was the unmistakeable print of a badger.

Looking more closely I could see where the badger had trampled down some of the undergrowth, leaving behind tell-tale hairs on brambles, before crossing the path where I had spotted the paw print.

On the other side there were more signs of the animal scratching the bark on a fallen branch, perhaps to find beetles to eat, before making its way through the wood. It was a spine-tingling moment to feel so close to this secretive creature.

As a Developing Green Talent trainee, I’ve spent a year working at Warburg, meeting families as they arrive. I realised there was a real need for a Nature Detectives Trail, for children to discover this reserve for themselves. The trail is a fun, self-led trail for all the family. It’s designed for children aged six to 10, but anyone can enjoy being a nature detective for the day.

The trail starts at the visitor centre, where you collect your instructions and a child’s backpack full of equipment. Heading out on to the reserve there are nine specific places along the wildlife walk where there are missions to complete, such as searching for mini-beasts or working out which little creature has nibbled the hazelnuts.

After all the rain this winter, the muddy paths on the nature reserve are perfect for animal tracking. Using the handy detective’s booklet, it is possible to work out if the footprint is from a fox or a dog, or which of our deer species has crossed the path.

The Discovery Sheet doubles up as a notepad for drawings and descriptions of what’s been found, so children can take that home to show their friends. The backpack is returned to the visitor centre for someone else to use. There is always something different to discover as the seasons change, from the orchids in spring to the weird and wonderful fungi in autumn. The Nature Detectives Trail changes, too, so children can come back later in the year to discover a new trail and different wildlife.

I enjoy watching the reserve get ready for spring and it’s not just animals to spot. The woodland floor becomes a carpet of green as thousands of dog’s mercury plants emerge. Later the pale white of wood anemones, purple of dog-violets and pale yellow of primroses add splashes of colour. This is also the best time to hear the drumming of the male greater spotted woodpeckers. They rat-a-tat-tat their beaks against a hollow tree, to mark territory and attract a mate.

Thanks to a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, I’ve had a fascinating year at Warburg and it’s great to see children excitedly running off along the paths having as much fun as I did.

To find out more about Nature Detectives at the Warburg reserve log on to www.bbowt.org.uk