The extensive dry grasslands of RSPB Winterbourne Downs have recently been adorned with two new dew ponds. The ponds are a fabulous addition to the mix of habitats on the reserve, and should provide better conditions for turtle doves and great crested newts, and possibly even tempt tree sparrows to make RSPB Winterbourne Downs their home. Dew ponds historically stored water for livestock, chiefly sheep, and were once a common feature of the downland landscape.
The main pond as it has been situated in front of the first viewing screen on the RSPB Winterbourne Downs nature trail. This will add to the possibilities of wildlife experiences on view, as stone-curlew, lapwing and grey partridge are not always easy viewing on the cultivated plot behind. Indeed within a month of being filled with water a green sandpiper has already called by to investigate. The excavated chalk from the dew ponds has been used to make a new south-facing butterfly bank, and a small ‘inland cliff’ between it and the pond, designed to provide ideal habitat for mining bees.
Looking back across the valley from the visitor car park you will notice a new wader scrape. In fact this is a dry chalk scrape, which has been created by removing 50cm of topsoil over half a hectare in the centre of the reserve. This has resulted in a bare chalk scrape for nesting stone curlew and lapwing. The hope is that this bespoke habitat feature will provide a low cost and easy to maintain nesting habitat for stone curlew and ideal conditions for chalk loving wildflowers and insects to thrive.
These new features are part of a project funded by Viridor Credits which together with chalk grassland restoration is providing stepping stones for wildlife to return to Wiltshire’s historic chalk grassland landscape.