The Bermuda Audubon Society and Bermuda National Trust have applied for permission to develop facilities at the new reserve east of Long Bay in Somerset.

The reserve, which was bought for $1.7 million under the banner Buy Back Bermuda in September, will feature an enlarged pond, improved access and parking, observation hides and a wooden dock.

Audubon Society president David Wingate, hopes to have work completed on the new Somerset Long Bay Nature Reserve East by May next year.

Dr. Wingate said the only place on the Island that has similar observation hides is Nonsuch Island.

However, Dr. Wingate said the hides at the new reserve would not be screens which will be partially roofed all along the trail.

?We are doing this because one of our major goals is to have an interpretative nature trail for schools in Somerset,? he said.

He said the new reserve complemented the public beach park and will be accessible from there.

The group also plans to enlarge the existing pond.