New Wetland Creation at Tadnoll

Dorset Wildlife Trust is half way through the construction phase to start re-wetting the Old Prison Fields at Tadnoll nature reserve.

• Over the years the deep ditches have drained the fields for agriculture.
• DWT now hope to bring wildlife back to these fields by creating shallow scrapes (temporary ponds) and raising the water level in the fields by installing sluices.

Breeding snipe & lapwings

DWT want to see snipe and lapwing breeding again on the Tadnoll Flood Meadows (on the other side of the river).

This wetland creation project will provide additional feeding habitat and in time, breeding areas.

1. Disturbance is a major factor which stops waders from setting up breeding territories and for this reason the wetland areas will have restricted access. However, DWT will be installing a bird hide to allow birdwatching without disturbing them.

Most of the construction work will be taking place from mid-May - July 2008. For health & safety reasons the Old Prison Fields will not be open to the public during this time.

However, a new dog friendly walk will be provided in the Old Prison Fields once the construction phase is finished. This will allow dogs to be let off the lead, away from wildlife on the heath and wetland.

> Rivers & Wetlands project

Tadnoll & Winfrith nature reserves > Link to Tadnoll & Winfrith nature reserve page > Download Tadnoll & Winfrith Reserve Walks Leaflet Old Prison Fields fall between OS marked reserve boundaries

Old Prison Fields Now part of Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserve land