Derelict ponds restored to life after funding boost

Dew ponds provide a space for wildlife to thrive

Once derelict dew ponds across the South Downs National Park are now thriving thanks to more than £90,000 in donations.

Eight ponds across the park in Hampshire and Sussex have been restored and work will begin soon on two more near Emsworth.

A watering hole at Magdalen Hill Down in Winchester is one of those to have had a makeover thanks to a grant of £13,000 given to UK charity Butterfly Conservation.

The turnaround is part of the “Pounds for Ponds” initiative, a campaign calling for funding to restore about 100 dew ponds across the South Downs.

Plants have been added to the dew pond at Magdalen Hill Down

The ponds provide a haven for wildlife and are synonymous with the chalk grassland of the national park.

Historically, they were dug by farmers as watering holes for livestock but due to changes in practices, dozens of the wildlife oases have fallen into disrepair or been lost completely.

A watering hole at Magdalen Hill Down in Winchester was one of those to have a makeover

Jan Knowlson, biodiversity officer for the park, said: “There actually used to be around 1,000 dew ponds across the South Downs landscape, but this number has fallen dramatically over the past century.

“Restoring these bodies of water is a really good way of tackling biodiversity loss."

Speaking about the impact the changes have had in Winchester, Fiona Scully, from Butterfly Conservation, said: “There are already water boatmen and pond skaters whizzing about, and birds are drinking from it.

"It’s a lovely feature for the reserve and hugely beneficial for both wildlife and visitors.”

Funding support has come from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Bannister Trust, BMW UK through the Recharge in Nature project, Swire Charitable Trust and Southern Co-op, together with scores of donations from individuals.