Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2014 | Page 50

COUNTRY LIFE

Boost for dragonflies!
Gift to Nature is responsible for a variety of conservation sites
around the Island, it is their mission to not only care for the
Island’s wildlife but encourage everyone to get out and explore
our fantastic countryside.

T

he Isle of Wight is full of examples
of people working together to
improve our unique environment.
Gift to Nature and Natural Wight’s Green
Army teamed up recently to open up
Birchmore Pond near Blackwater, with
some instant results for dragonflies!
The wetland sites we look after are
surveyed for dragonflies and damselflies
each year by Island expert Dave Dana
with some really excellent results - seven
species of dragonflies and damselflies
recorded this year at Birchmore Pond

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alone, including Azure Damselflies and
the dramatic-looking Migrant Hawker.
We have been working with the
landowners at Birchmore Pond to
improve and enhance this wonderful
spot for its wildlife and as a great place
for local people and visitors to enjoy. But
it also provides us with an ideal arena for
groups such as the Green Army to learn
more about conservation skills. The team
cut back willow and cleared some of the
reeds that were filling the pond; opening
up ponds to light and warmth creates

the perfect environment in particular
for dragonflies and damselflies. It was
amazing to watch them all descend on
the pond’s sunny spots the moment we
created them.
Caroline Knox, whose family own
Birchmore Pond, explained: “Farmers
nowadays aim to positively manage
specific corners of their land for long-term
environmental benefit. Birchmore Pond is
a great example of how the agency of Gift
to Nature, with help here from Natural
Wight, can help achieve these aims.”
Birchmore Pond can be found along the
Cowes-Sandown cycle track at Blackwater,
which makes it the ideal place to stop and
dragonfly-spot in the spring.
Gift to Nature’s work is only possible
with the help of committed supporters.
All donations enable us to continue our
conservation work on the Isle of Wight.
If you would like to support the work of
Gift to Nature please visit website www.
gifttonature.org.uk