Formerly used for Gravel extraction, now important for many rare and declining species of wilslife. Andover is fortunate to have Rooksbury Mill Nature Reserve, nestled between the A303 and Watermills Park. The site started life as part of the Rooksbury Estate. In 1969 it was used for gravel extraction, before being filled, converted to a…
Category: nature
Where to start when creating a new nature reserve
Recording first, and what platforms to use. When creating a new nature reserve either on a large scale, or just creating a wild area in your garden, or improving a wild area, it is best NOT just to get stuck straight in! To truly know if your conservation project is working, or not, you need…
Ladies Walk – more than just a walk
Many Andover residents know of Ladies Walk it’s a stunning area with views right across town. The walk was planted with an avenue of trees in 1863 to commemorate the wedding of The Prince of Wales to Princess Alexander. The trees are very mature and some are rotting providing habitats for invertebrates, fungi and bats,…
Anton Lakes – an urban paradise
Local residents will be aware of Anton Lakes Nature Reserve. Despite its size and urban setting, there is a variety of important habitats, ranging from lakes to grassland. Wetlands provide ideal conditions for plants like the aromatic meadowsweet, water avens, marsh valerian, and cuckoo flower (foodplant of the orange-tip butterfly). There is a variety of…