The restoration project saw amphibious vehicles called Truxors removing much of the reed cover to increase the volume of open water habitat for wildlife. With the ponds being located near the headwaters of the Barbourne Brook, the increased water-holding capacity will also act as natural flood management.

Jasmine Walters, Wildlife and Farming Officer for the Trust, commented “With natural habitats in decline, it is important that we optimise our nature reserves for wildlife. We hope that these works will allow aquatic species to flourish on site.

“To minimise disruption to wildlife, the timing of these works has been vital. At this time of year, amphibians are hibernating on land and birds are not breeding in the vegetation, which means it is the perfect time to manage this habitat.

“To prepare for the works, we undertook various surveys earlier in the year and took the opportunity once birds had finished breeding to remove vegetation from the edges of the two ponds so that there were no suitable places for frogs and toads to hibernate.

“We’ve removed about 70% of the reed cover, increasing the amount of open water available to allow insect life to thrive whilst also ensuring habitat for birds like reed warblers to breed in next year. We’ve created piles nearby with the removed vegetation, which will provide habitat for wildlife including, hopefully, breeding grass snakes.

“The good news is that, just after the works took place and the cold weather took hold, I spotted a common darter dragonfly laying eggs on one of the restored areas. We can’t wait to see how the life here bounces back.”

In addition to benefitting wildlife, these works will also support the Trust’s education team, who regularly use the pond in outdoor learning sessions with school groups.