Wildlife and Conservation

The 15 acres of grounds around Springhead are rich in wildlife, and home to a multitude of birds, mammals, invertebrates, amphibians, fungi and plants. One of Springhead’s objectives is to promote biodiversity, and we work hard to protect our varied habitats which include a spring-fed stream and lake, hedgerows and mature trees, wildflower meadow and scrub.

The springs at Springhead feed the chalk stream Collyer’s Brook, which is particularly valuable for wildlife, and species previously observed have included kingfisher, little egret, emperor dragonfly, brown trout, stickleback, meadowsweet, water mint and yellow flag iris. Common, soprano and Daubenton’s bats visit have been seen at night to feed over the water, and otters and water voles have occasionally been spotted in the stream.

Elsewhere at Springhead, species previously recorded have included snakes-head fritillaries, toads and hedgehogs. The site is situated within the Cranborne Chase AONB, and close to chalk downland, where butterfly and moth species known to thrive at Fontmell Down nature reserve include the rare silver-spotted skipper, Brown Argus, Chalk Hill Blue and Adonis Blue.

Share

Springhead is a charity
Registration number: 1112083
Company register number: 5370640

The Springhead Trust is a small charity, so any support you give will make a big difference. With your help, we can continue preserving our historic buildings and gardens for the benefit of all, and give more children and groups the opportunity to enjoy the countryside and arts, and learn about sustainable living.

Springhead
Fontmell Magna
Shaftesbury
Dorset SP7 0NU

Phone: 01747 811853
Email: [email protected]

© 2024 The Springhead Trust | All rights reserved