A £1.3M restoration project to turn Winnall Moors into one of the county’s foremost nature reserves is now under way.

Two years of painstaking planning and a tremendous response to a fundraising appeal came to fruition in August last year thanks to a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Spanning approximately 158 acres of natural floodplain, you can literally be standing in the middle of the countryside just ten minutes walk from the centre of Winchester and witness an almost unique glance at the full range of habitats that traditionally would have been present across most of the river valley.

The site is important for a number of reasons – its proximity to the city means it plays a vital role in helping to absorb water and protect the city from floods; its varied habitats and diverse wildlife and its historical and cultural legacy, intimately linked to Winchester’s historical past.

A successful purchase and extension to the reserve in 2006 enabled the trust to exercise control over most of the floodplain. An ambitious and exciting five-year programme is now under way to develop the reserve as a model for the Itchen Valley in all areas of land management (eg, grazing with cattle, fishing, heritage, education) in a way that is compatible with the needs of wildlife.

Already the site is a safe haven for water voles and otter, offers a diverse fish community, breeding home for many migrant warblers and one of the most floristically rich sites in Hampshire for its fen and hay meadows.

However, the trust’s vision for the site aims to bring it back to its former glory, when it would have been managed as a whole.

This will include reconnecting the rivers with the floodplain, removing encroaching trees and scrub and facilitating more extensive grazing by cattle and sheep. A key success indicator will be trying to encourage breeding waders, such as redshank, lapwing or snipe, pictured, which were lost during the early 1990s.

Another important aspect will be to provide a highly accessible and richly interpreted wildlife-rich r e s e r v e , encouraging the public to visit and inspire them to ‘do their bit’.

The project will provide: ■ New and improved pathways with improved access for visitors, including for wheelchairs and pushchairs ■ A boardwalk trail with new signage and information boards ■ Habitat and water management schemes to control water levels – crucial for maintaining the reserve’s rich variety of plant life and for creating the right conditions for breeding wading birds ■ River enhancement schemes important for resident water voles, mayfly and priority fish species ■ Wildlife and heritage-themed artwork Volunteers play a vital role in the project’s delivery. Already local work parties have been involved with tree/scrub management, building the new boardwalks and removing old stock-fencing. However, there are masses of opportunities for budding volunteers.

These not only include the local groups, but could include wardening and checking stock, photography, butterfly transects or bird surveys and even learning how to restore historic brickwork from the 18th century water meadow structures, with full training provided.

There will also be a full activities and events programme for families and general enthusiasts, amateur naturalists and specialists.

Go to hwt.org.uk for information.

Alternatively why not register as a ‘Friend of Winnall Moors’ and receive regular updates?

With access works in the southern part of the reserve in progress it has had to remain shut for health and safety reasons and visitors will have to wait until the spring before paths are reopened but we’re confident the new facilities will be worth the wait.

For more information email: martindr@hwt.org.uk or call 01489 774432.