Eight derelict dew ponds have been lovingly restored and at the moment are thriving with new life, due to funding of over £90,000 from the South Downs Nationwide Park Belief.
After years of stagnation and dwindling water ranges resulting from local weather change, eight dew ponds throughout Sussex and Hampshire are as soon as once more offering a haven for scores of fauna and flora, together with dragonflies, toads, frogs, pond skaters, water boatmen, yellowhammer, gypsywort and meadowsweet.
Work is because of begin quickly on restoring an extra two ponds, close to Emsworth, that can assist help populations of white turtle dove.
The turnaround has been made potential by the “Kilos for Ponds” initiative, which is trying to restore round 100 dew ponds throughout the South Downs Nationwide Park and was launched precisely one yr in the past.
Dew ponds are synonymous with the chalk grassland of the South Downs, traditionally being dug by farmers as a watering gap for livestock and a few relationship again a number of hundred years.
Nevertheless, over many a long time and resulting from modifications in farming practices, dozens of those wildlife oases have fallen into disrepair or been misplaced fully. Local weather change, with hotter, drier summers, has compounded the issue, that means these our bodies of water are extra essential than ever in offering refuge and ingesting water for animals.
Jan Knowlson, Biodiversity Officer for the Nationwide Park, mentioned: “Seeing these restored dew ponds springing again to life is totally superb and simply reveals how nature can flourish if given the prospect.
“There truly was once round 1,000 dew ponds throughout the South Downs panorama, however this quantity has fallen dramatically over the previous century.
“Restoring these our bodies of water is a extremely great way of tackling biodiversity loss as a result of these ponds help nearly three quarters of all freshwater species present in lowland landscapes just like the South Downs.
“I’d wish to thank everybody who has donated to make these restorations potential and we’re excited to have the ability to restore much more sooner or later. Kilos for Ponds is only one strand of the Nationwide Park’s ongoing ReNature initiative and a concerted effort over the previous three years has seen enormous quantities of latest habitat being created together with woodlands, hedgerows, wetlands and wildflower meadows.”
One of many dew ponds that has been restored is at Chantry Hill, West Sussex (earlier than and after pic beneath).Lead Ranger Tom Garriock not too long ago visited the fishpond and mentioned: “The pond is trying nice! It has crammed up properly over the winter and is already offering a haven for wildlife. I’ve seen invertebrates equivalent to whirligig beetles, pond skaters and water spiders on the floor of the pond, in addition to farmland birds together with yellowhammer and meadow pipit coming to drink. Skylark, kestrel, pink kite and buzzard had been a lot in proof within the neighborhood, and naturally, the ever-curious robin!”
A fishpond at Magdalen Hill Down, close to Winchester, has additionally been given a makeover, due to a grant of £13,000 to Butterfly Conservation.
Fiona Scully, from Butterfly Conservation, mentioned: “There are already water boatmen and pond skaters whizzing about, and birds are ingesting from it. It’s a stunning characteristic for the reserve and vastly useful for each wildlife and guests.”
Over the previous yr alone, Kilos for Ponds has raised £200,000, that means that extra dew ponds might be restored in future funding rounds. Funding help has come from Nationwide Lottery Heritage Fund, Bannister Belief, BMW, Swire Charitable Belief, along with scores of donations from people. As a result of restoring dew ponds is dear, the South Downs Nationwide Park Belief wants to boost an estimated £1m in whole to revive 100 dew ponds.
The pond restorations have been supported with sensible and ecological recommendation from Froglife, in addition to Nationwide Park ranger groups.
Donate to Kilos for Ponds at www.southdownstrust.org.uk/pounds-for-ponds/
To be placed on the notification record for future rounds of funding, please electronic mail Miriam Swan, Grants Officer, at Grants@southdowns.gov.uk
