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Poulshot Village Trust
The village pond can be found on the north side of the village green, and is easily accessed from the road, during the summer the water levels fall, as the pond is only fed from drainage sources and not a natural spring or other source of running water. It is an idyllic spot and preserved by the village as a focal point on the green.
The pond during the summer
However the pond is not just a beautiful place it is home to a population of the Great Crested Newt, making it an important wildlife sanctuary for this rare and protected species.
Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) are Britain’s largest newt species. Although now afforded some legal protection in the UK, populations have declined over recent years as a result of the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat.
Any work undertaken on the pond has to be well prepared and under strict supervision as part of the preparation a survey is undertaken on a regular basis, this year on April the 19th 2010 Jan Freeborn from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust was helped by village volunteers. She explained the life cycle of the newts and identified the different species, including Palmate and Smooth Newts, Frogs and invertebrates were also seen among the water and bog plants. The trust hopes to identify other ponds in the village which could benefit from some TLC.
Here Jan prepares a trap to harmlessly capture the secretive creatures for counting and recording.
Volunteers set traps, with some considerable success.
Please contact the Chairman Nicholas Hunloke on (01380 828333) or the secretary Peter Cleverly on (01380 827242) for further details of the trust.