New meadow expands reserve nature help

A new habitat area is taking shape this summer at a nature reserve.

Support is growing for pollinators around Rhuddlan Nature Reserve this year, thanks to the completion of a new wildflower meadow area.

Denbighshire Countryside Services has worked alongside the Rhuddlan Reserve Management Advisory Group since 2011 to manage the site to encourage nature to flourish and provide a place for community well-being.

Rhuddlan Nature Reserve has grown and developed over the years with the introduction of site developments including two wildflower meadows, three wildlife ponds, 300 metres of hedgerow, wildflower seeded verges, planting of 6,000 trees, a heritage species orchard, two picnic areas and a pond dipping platform.

Working with the local Dementia Group, the partnership also created a Dementia friendly space on the site with sensory, trees, wildflowers and historic landscape features such as dry-stone walls and laid hedges complete with traditional Welsh oak timber seating.

Alongside this space, countryside rangers with the support of volunteers have now created a new wildflower meadow to continue the support for the site’s nature and provide a new area for visitors to enjoy.

The new area has been developed with wildflower earth and turf which will provide a variety of plants to support pollinators and the wider wildlife at the nature reserve.

And to protect the site volunteers also helped build a wattle fence around the meadow boundary.

Countryside Ranger Vitor Evora explained: “It’s been great to provide an additional wildflower meadow habitat on the nature reserve as these are a vital habitat we need to support our pollinators and the wildlife that feed off the insects in this type of area. It will also be a feature full of variety and colour for those visiting the reserve to enjoy.

Councillor Alan James, Denbighshire Cabinet Lead Member for Local Development and Planning, said: “The volunteers and rangers have made a real positive difference to this part of Rhuddlan Nature Reserve and we are grateful for their dedicated work to improving biodiversity in the area and also visitor experience for those dropping by the reserve.”