Lower Moor Farm
Lower Moor Farm is the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s flagship reserve in the north of the county. It actually straddles the border between Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, with the Gloucestershire side being designated as Sandpool Farm. It is a working farm and recreational centre, with sheep and cattle grazing, and a fishing consortium stocking and managing Mallard Lake.
The main ringing site is at the north end of the lakes, along the hedgerows, paths and lake edge. Our secondary ringing site is in the wildlife education zone and the hedgerows opposite the visitor centre.
This is where we run our constant effort site. It is an excellent habitat, with a wide range of birdlife. We do not target the wildfowl, focusing exclusively on the Passerines and near-Passerines found at the site. So far we have processed 39 different species at Lower Moor Farm, including the second ever Yellow-browed Warbler ringed in Wiltshire.
For more information on this site follow the link to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserves page:
The Braydon Forest
The Braydon Forest is an ancient hunting forest which retains a number of relict woods and copses. This area provides the key focus of a number of projects on behalf of the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission. Each area has its own entry. The spatial relationship is shown in the picture below:
Blakehill Farm
Blakehill Farm is a fascinating Wiltshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve. It was an RAF airfield, which played a significant role in the final days of the Second World War, and now plays a significant role in the environmental landscape today: making some 40% of the UK government’s target for lowland neutral grassland. It is a working farm, with cattle and sheep grazed on the site, and fields cut for hay later on in July.
There are two main ringing areas: the north-east of the reserve, accessed from the Chelworth Industrial Estate, and the south-west of the reserve in the vicinity of the Whitworth Centre and the ponds.
The primary catching areas are the hedgerows lining the perimeter track in the north-east and those lining the fields in the south-west. Outside of the breeding season, we also have access to the bushes that ring the central plateau. These are where we usually catch the more interesting migrant birds. It is very good for Whinchat in the autumn. So far we have processed birds from 38 species.
For more information on this site follow the link to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserves page:
https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/blakehill-farm-including-stoke-common-meadows
Ravensroost Woods & Meadows
The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Ravensroost complex is a cornerstone of three projects: the Braydon Forest Living Landscape project; the Braydon Forest Marsh Tit project and the Ravensroost Coppice project.
The complex comprises hazel coppice at the south end of the wood, which is coppiced on an 8 year cycle, with coppicing of one quarter of the coupes every two years. The rest of the wood is ancient woodland, interspersed with some areas of 25 year coppice.
Within the wood, the coppice project covers the entire 8-year coppiced area, as outlined in red, with the control area being along the yellow line. The meadow complex is outlined in blue, and is used for spring and autumn migration.
There have been 35 species caught and processed in the complex. It is a key site for the Marsh Tit project, with 30 individuals ringed since October 2012, and 69 retrapping events from 20 individuals.
For more information on this site follow the link to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserves page:
Somerford Common
Somerford Common is part of a Forestry Commission complex running either side of Somerford Lane / Stopper’s Hill. Ringing activities are largely confined to the eastern side of Somerford Lane, outlined in red below.
This area is mixed woodland, with conifer plantation being replaced with native species as it matures. The south-west quadrant of the outlined area is being coppiced, as of winter 2016. 27 species have been processed in the wood, and it is a stronghold for Bullfinches within the Braydon Forest. The newly coppiced area has historically been the best site for Lesser Redpoll in the forest. It will be interesting to see whether this new strategy affects their numbers.
Red Lodge Plantation
This is a Forestry Commission beechwood plantation. It was thinned out two years ago, which has had a significant positive effect on the diversity of the woodland.
The white lines indicate the ringing net rides. 26 species have been caught and processed within this wood.
Webb’s Wood
Another Forestry Commission woodland. The astonishing thing about this wood is that it was clear-felled during WW2. It was replanted as a conifer / beech plantation. The conifer is being cleared and replaced with native British species as it matures, the beechwood was thinned a few years ago. The conifers left at the site help make this the best site for Siskin within the Braydon Forest.
Although it just about the largest portion of the Braydon Forest, it has the lowest catch diversity at 24 species caught and processed.
The Firs
This is the smallest of the Braydon Forest sites but with the accolade of delivering the first two Spotted Flycatchers ringed within the forest (autumn 2016).
The photo does not do justice to the work carried out by the Wiltshire Wildlfe Trust and their volunteers. They have spent a lot of time opening up the central glade and creating butterfly spaces within the wood. In addition, two small ponds in the middle of the wood has also enhanced the attractiveness of the wood. It has delivered 26 species processed, including the only Tawny Owl caught in the forest so far.
For more information on this site follow the link to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserves page:
https://www.wiltshirewildlife.org/the-firs-royal-wootton-bassett
Brown’s Farm
Brown’s Farm is situated just south of Marlborough and to the east of Savernake Forest. It is managed as a beef and arable farm also with stables and paddocks that are rented out to the public.
The ringing largely takes place along the many hedgerows and field edges surrounding the fields. The hedgerows are largely hawthorn, blackthorn and dog rose. They are kept at head height and do not have any established trees to break the hedge line.
Biss Wood / Green Lane Complex, Trowbridge
This reserve complex lies on the very edge of Trowbridge. The ancient oak woodland of Green Lane Wood was gifted to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust in 1991 by its previous owner. In 1998 the Trust purchased the wildflower meadow next to it. The wood connects with Biss Wood nature reserve, managed by the Trust since 2012, and Green Lane Nature Park.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have been managing Green Land Wood since 1991 and Biss Wood since 2012. Both woodlands and predominately broadleaved with some coppicing and glades.
One of our newest ringing sites, the aim here is to monitor the birdlife of the woodland and to understand the connectivity between them. So far 20 species have been ringed across the complex including Green Woodpecker, Jay and Marsh Tit.
East Tytherton
This privately owned site is located to the north west of Chippenham. Historically run as a small dairy farm, the land is now primarily mixed arable with some light grazing for horses.
Ringing takes place along the hedgerows and around seasonal feeding stations. A range of classic farmland species including Yellowhammer, Chaffinch and Barn Owl can be found breeding. In the winter large flocks of passerines scour the hedges for food and waders such as Snipe and Lapwing forage in the wet fields. Still in its infancy, 17 species have been caught here.
Sutton Benger
This site comprises several adjacent locations close to the river Avon just outside the village of Sutton Benger.
The site contains a rich mosaic of habitats is a relatively small area (including reedbed, scrub, open water, woodland, hedgerows, and grassland). As a result of this summer migrants and resident birds breed in good numbers. This site is ringed consistently across the year to build up a picture of how the bird life varies throughout the seasons and form year to year. 36 species have been ringed here including over 30 Kingfishers as well as Fieldfare, Grey Wagtail and Cetti’s Warbler.
Western Way Balancing Ponds, Melksham
A drainage pond for the A350, this site appears to be an unlikely candidate for a ringing site. However, the area has been given over to nature and the ponds are now fringed with reedbed and scrub producing good habit for breeding birds.
Ringing is helping the landowners (Wilshire Council) to understand the birds present on site. So far 24 species have been ringed including Reed Warbler, House Sparrow and Kingfisher.
Ringing In The Braydon Forest & Beyond 