FURTHER MOORE
HABITAT CREATION
A habitat creation project, to enhance the biodiversity of this site which was not accessible for many months of the year due to the boggy wetland approach. The field itself provided very poor agricultural value, other than summer grazing for cattle.
THE LAND
The Land drains that run through the plot had broken over the years, creating a ditch of running naturally filtered water which ran through the centre of the field into a silty overgrown pond. The pond was hidden inside a bramble and willow perimeter, spilling over into a dark boggy ditch that feeds into a brook that joins the River Avon.
THE PROCESS
HABITAT CREATION
The first part of the project involved stripping the bramble and trees to expose the existing pond before dredging. Marginal plant species were spared and put to one-side to re-establish once completed.
The land gently slopes towards the brook, so a simple ‘cut and fill’ excavation allowed us to create 2 large ponds and keep all soil on-site forming a dam. A simple overflow pipe fed into from the upper pond into the lower pond. Top soil was stripped, and 2 pools were formed from the clay, each around 1 acre in size.
Once top soil had been dressed back over the clay formation, the marginal plants were separated and re-planted around the margins of the ponds. A pass with our tractor driven power-harrow levelled the ground, distributing the top soil evenly in preparation for seeding.
A Predator fence was erected around the perimeter of each pond without obstructing the footpath which passes between the ponds.
A wild flower grass-seed mix was selected for this ground, leaving 3 conservation areas within the fence which would provide ground-nesting species safety from the active otter population in the area.
THE OUTCOME
The ponds filled over the winter and instantly became a magnet for wildlife. The chalky ground above the site provides a fantastic natural filter for the water feeding into the pools, the perfect environment for freshwater fish species which were introduced and have thrived and reproduced naturally every year.
FLORA & FAUNA
This site has become so fertile that without our ongoing management the healthy balance created would quickly tip within a single year. Therefore, an ongoing managament plan is in place to re-balance the ecosystem, ensuring tat it continues to support the diverse species that now rely on it.
Keeping the site well maintained and grass cut ensured that the site is respected by public that use the footpath to enjoy this creation. The management plan includes grass cutting, aquatic weed control and fish population management to maintain its diversity.
Although the first excavation processes were very daunting and intrusive on the landscape, the matured site has become a site of outstanding beauty, another Kingfisher Wetlands project we're proud to put our name to.
