3 minute read
Reserve focus: Bay Meadows
By James Ravine, Head of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications
Discover Bay Meadows, our newest nature reserve located on the edge of Marlborough.
Bay Meadows is at the heart of an amazing chalk landscape in the North Wessex Downs. The River Og, a beautiful chalk stream, runs through the middle of the reserve’s water meadows. Purchased in 2022, we saved the site from the threat of development that would have destroyed its value for wildlife.
Thanks to great support from our members, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Hills Group, Dyson, Fish in Need, Marlborough Area Board, the Town Council and other generous donors, we have completed a transformative project to improve the habitat for mammals, birds, fish and pollinators. We have also created a fantastic Nature Park which is now open for everyone to enjoy at any time.
Chalking up benefits for wildlife….
Bay Meadows is crucial in helping wildlife move seasonally through the chalk landscape along the River Og. Our surveys have revealed more than 300 species call Bay Meadows home, including otter and wild brown trout; habitat restoration in the nature reserve’s Wildlife Refuge area has been geared toward attracting even more.
Shallow scrapes have been created, which will fill with water seasonally, providing ideal habitat for wading birds such as lapwing. The scrapes are also a clever way to mitigate the impact of climate change, allowing water to be released slowly during dry periods to help sustain nature. In the Og’s channel, we have also varied the water flow to improve fish spawning habitat.
More than 6,000 trees have been planted, including hawthorn and crab apple, to provide food sources and nesting habitat for birds. We planted many snakeshead fritillary bulbs to establish this beautiful, rare wildflower in a new location. Grazing by a small herd of cattle has also been introduced into the Wildlife Refuge to create ideal conditions for more wildflowers to flourish.
…and people
The Nature Park provides a wonderful place to explore, relax and connect with nature, easily walkable from the town of Marlborough.
There’s the chance to see and hear many birds, including reed bunting, and yellowhammer. You may even see the iridescent blue flash of a kingfisher darting along the channel. In summer, why not sit on the river bank listening to the trickling waters whilst watching dragonflies?
You can learn more about the reserve’s wildlife and fascinating history from new information boards around the Nature Park. We laid weatherproof paths and installed bridges so you can take a circular walk year round; the paths connect to public rights of way for those interested in longer walks.
With the help of an amazing group of volunteers, we have created a den building area, an enchanted tunnel and a wellbeing area. Several chill-out areas mown into the meadow provide a place to picnic or enjoy the view. Throughout the project, nearly 700 people of all ages have benefitted from activities ranging from bee walks and school visits, to learning conservation skills and participating in wellbeing programmes.
Look out for guided activities at: wiltshirewildlife.org/events
