Results just released show an exciting increase in wildlife at an important Dorset nature reserve.
The unexpected invertebrates, including three nationally scarce beetles, were found in recently constructed ponds at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Tadnoll and Winfrith reserve. The rare large broadwings mayfly Brachycercus harissellus was also uncovered in the reserve’s brook and is only the second record for Dorset of this species since the first discovery in the River Frome back in 1970.
The survey found 37 species of beetle as well as 13 species of dragonfly. Most exceptional of these were the scarce blue-tailed dragonfly and the small red damselfly. The nationally scarce beetles, which do not even have their own English names, were Rhantus suturalis, Berosus affinis and Helophorus griseus), all species of water beetle.
The wetlands at Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Tadnoll and Winfrith nature reserve were created in 2008 by re-profiling 2km of ditches and constructing three ponds. All of this formed soft, muddy areas and gentle slopes for wildlife. The wetland was initially designed to encourage wading birds, including snipe and lapwings, to over-winter and possible breed on the Old Prison Fields. Four years on, DWT undertook a reserve survey day in 2012 and concentrated on both the fields and the new ponds, with the help of an aquatic invertebrate specialist.
Sarah Williams, Conservation Officer at Dorset Wildlife Trust, said: “The invertebrate survey has been fantastic, showing us what species have moved in to these ponds, in a relatively short time-scale. As part of the Purbeck Nature Improvement Area, DWT plans to create more ponds and wetland features on the Old Prison Fields to increase these important habitats.”
The fields, which lie outside the part of the reserve designated as a site of special scientific interest, seem well on their way to hosting a variety of new wildlife of their own. Water voles have been sighted along the embankments of the ditches, hobbies have been seen hunting the dragonflies over the ponds and the rare aquatic fern pillwort, Pilularia globulifera, has been found.
Tadnoll and Winfrith reserve is open all year for visitors. For more information on the reserve, and the wildlife that can be spotted, visit dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/tadnoll_winfrith_reserves.
