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BOURNEMOUTH NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY | ||
| 39 Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH1 3NS, UK. Registered Charity No. 219585 |
Given by: Jim Day, Education Officer at HWT Blashford Lakes Reserve
An illustrated talk highlighting the complex history of land use in the area that has shaped what is now the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust's Blashford Lakes Reserve, and an overview of the diverse range of habitats and wildlife that can be seen there today.
A 1912 OS map shows only fields in Ellingham Parish. By the 1940s RAF Ibsley had introduced concrete runways, used for Motor Racing in the post-war era. Gravel extraction followed with lakes forming naturally due to the high water table of the Avon valley. Today's OS map is a mass of blue.
The Blashford Lakes Project is a partnership between Wessex Water, H & IoW Wildlife Trust, the New Forest District Council and B&WH Water. It is a 'Flagship Reserve' covering 500 acres - half to two thirds of which is open water. Opened to the General Public some 5 years ago, 2006 was its 10th birthday.
The valley has always been an important over wintering site for wildfowl. The Project seeks to enhance its natural attractions in a way that provides easy, and non-invasive, access to wildlife for people. Hides give excellent views of nesting birds on artificial floating islands, of Sand Martins nesting in a specially constructed bank, of kingfishers perching on carefully sited sticks, of Tits, Siskins and Redpolls at eye-level feeding stations, and occasionally, of Bittern in reed-beds.
Many other species make this their home. Jim's photographs showed Dragonflies, Frogs, Snakes, Bees & Wasps, Butterflies & Moths, and small mammals. Dockens Water, a New Forest stream, runs through the area bringing spawning Sea Trout.
Botanists were delighted with pictures of daffodils & bluebells in the ancient woods that border the stream. There is an unusual diversity of lichens, some not found elsewhere in the County. (see Thursday 20th May Botany Field Meeting).
A New Forest 'Access for All' award reflects the standard of visitor amenities. The all-terrain paths can be negotiated using on-site Mobility Scooters. The spacious new Ivy South Hide, and others, are wheelchair accessible. Wildlife cameras are being installed at various sites. The pictures from 'Compost Cam' are eagerly awaited!
20 Members decided to see these delights for themselves, and joined an Ornithology Field Meeting at the Reserve later in the week. During the day, 50 different species of bird were identified.
Thanks Jim, for an informative, beautifully illustrated talk about this inspirational Reserve.