Nature Conservation Projects
Gift to Nature has developed exciting conservation projects across the Isle of Wight, and actively manages a number of conservation sites.
Red Squirrel Safari and Viewing Hide, Parkhurst Forest
Parkhurst is famously home to a large population of this rare and shy animal. They can be spotted from the magnificent log cabin hide which Gift to Nature built, working with the Forestry Commission. Follow the Red Squirrel Safari and you can also see Pearl-bordered Fritillary and White Admiral butterflies. Sparrow Hawks, Long-eared Owls and Buzzards can be found in the forest and the ponds are home to Great Crested Newts.
Totland Meadow
One Horse Field is a beautiful wild meadow which is rich in wildlife. See if you can spot the handsome Wasp Spider or fabulous Corky-fruited Water-dropwort or the rare Autumn Ladies Tresses orchid. In the summer the meadow is buzzing with dragonflies and butterflies. Our Slow Worm refuge is for the existing population and re-homing displaced individuals. There is hand-carved seating where you can rest your weary feet for a moment and let the wildlife come to you.
Sandown Wetlands
The Wetland Walk guides you around the River Yar and a network of waterways which we have made more inviting to Water Voles, one of the region's most threatened mammals. We also recreated an important local pond, essential as a home for hundreds of creatures that live in, on and around wetlands, including Kingfishers. You can find Marsh Orchids, Herons, nesting Mute Swans, the beautiful Emperor Dragonfly, Woodpeckers (in the picnic area), and an amazing array of pond wildlife.
Ventnor Lizard Wall
Ventnor Botanic Gardens are renowned for their micro-climate; they are sunny, south-facing and sheltered, so great for basking lizards. The nooks and crannies of the wall provide an ideal home for the rare Wall Lizard, and the colony is now well-established and continues to thrive. The lizards are most active on sunny days between April and October. On the lizard walk you might also spot Skuas (a predatory sea bird), Terns and Gannets as well as Britain’s rarest native tree the Black Poplar.
The Troll Trail
This project is full of bridges, and we all know that Trolls live under bridges. What many people don't know is that the Grey Wagtail is rather partial to nesting under bridges too, so we have installed special Grey Wagtail nesting boxes under some of the bridges the path crosses, as well as a House Sparrow palace to help this much-declined species. Enhancement of a wildlife meadow at Merstone Station, with new wildflowers and hand carved picnic benches alongside a chalk and turf maze, make this a real feature of the route which is much loved by walkers and cyclists. The Troll Trail forms part of National Cycle Network route 23.
Give Bees A Chance
In partnership with the Isle of Wight Festival Gift to Nature is running a project to support Bumblebees, Solitary Bees and Honey Bees. We have contributed towards national Bee research and are currently raising money to commission the first phase of research into Bee populations. At the 2008 festival we gave away Bee Wicks containing thousands of wild flower seeds for people to plant at home and help provide a food source for bees.
Hedgelaying Competition
Hedgerows provide a vital habitat for lots of native wildlife, but 20th century farming policies led to removal of vast amounts of hedgerow from the countryside. Each year we support the Isle of Wight Hedgelaying Competition which promotes traditional hedgelaying skills and adds new hedgerows across the Island.
Spotted Flycatcher
Dramatic population decline in recent years has seen the Spotted Flycatcher "red listed" by the RSPB. Reasons for the decline are not fully understood, but loss of habitat is likely to be a key reason. During 2008 Gift to Nature will be distributing nest boxes suitable for the Spotted Flycatcher across the Island, and asking hosts of the boxes to report back on who moves in next year. The boxes will also help other birds which nest in open fronted boxes, such as Robins.
Photo Credits: Red Squirrel courtesy of Ian Pratt LRPS, Spotted Flycatcher courtesy of Joaquim Coelho, all other images Island 2000 Trust