Wildlife havens' revamp complete

The forests are home to 24 species of dragonfly and damselfly

A project to restore wildlife havens in Berkshire and North Hampshire has achieved its target.

The Forestry Commission has spent nine years restoring Bramshill and Crowthorne Forests for the benefit of the wildlife there.

The area incorporates forest, water areas and heathland, between the M4 and M3 south of Wokingham.

The area is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and home to rare birds, dragonflies and butterflies.

Areas of the forest had been used as sand and gravel quarries, while in other areas non-native trees had been planted.

Rare species

According to the British Dragonfly Society, the area is home to at least 24 breeding species of dragonfly and damselfly, out of 38 listed in the entire country.

It is also specially protected because three rare European birds breed there - the Dartford warbler, woodlark and nightjar.

There are also a number of rare insects, including burrowing bees and wasps, and a variety of amphibians and reptiles, including grass snakes and adders.

Threated plant species, such as pillwort, a rare aquatic fern, also thrive there.

Forester Nick Hazlitt said: "The site was badly in need of restoration and management when we started out in 2000.

"The old quarries had been made good and the entire area cried out for discipline and direction to ensure its wildlife habitats were sustained and encouraged.

"The woodland, water and heath, all needed to be working together as one."

Although the habitats have now been restored, work will continue in the area to keep them maintained.