Page 28 - Land Trust Annual Review 2023

The Land Trust

Seasonal grazing Nature Space of the Year
has ensured a Winner of the Nature Space of the Year went to Avenue Washlands Nature
diverse grassland Reserve. A site which is biodiverse and nature rich, thanks to the hard work of
is maintained, Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and their volunteers.
while Botany This year under the ‘Natural England District level licencing pond creation
surveys scheme’, Wildscapes created two new ponds within the northernmost sidings
compartment, enhancing a third; the dragonfly pond, with the objective to
completed last heighten pond connectivity for great crested newts.
year by Natural
England, Subsequent surveys revealed the two established ponds to be of excellent quality,
with peaks counts of 22-59 great-crested newts recorded during one visit, and
revealed high peak counts of between two and six within the newly created ponds.
quality habitat vs Thanks to numerous dedicated volunteers and staff the management of areas
previous years. inaccessible to machinery was carried out by hand to enlarge open areas of water,
desirable for species breeding. Regular, essential habitat management across the
site has allowed it to thrive.
Seasonal grazing has ensured a diverse grassland is maintained, while Botany
surveys completed last year by Natural England, revealed high quality habitat vs
previous years.

There have also been countless successes across the management of the
Duckmarsh and the living bird table plot, with seasonal surveys continue to reflect
the range of birds, dragonflies and butterflies calling the site home.
Avenue Country Park
© Nick Rhodes

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