Nature

Stockbridge Meadows group

In spring, we welcomed another group of volunteers from Johnson Matthey to Stockbridge Meadows. Their project was to repair the ‘lizard houses’ and to reinforce the river bank where heavy footfall was causing erosion.

Prior to the development of Stockbridge Meadows an assessment of the habitat identified colonies of common lizards and grass snakes.

Common lizards are also known as the ‘viviparous lizard’ and are 10–15cm long, vary in colour but are usually brownish-grey with rows of darker spots or stripes down their back and sides. They have a lifespan of 5–6 years and are found across the UK.

To protect these species and prevent the scattering of these colonies, a fence was built around the area to contain the common lizards and grass snakes and ensure their continued presence. The fence was removed prior to the opening of the nature reserve in 2009, and local volunteers built refuges for the lizards which they named ‘lizard houses’.

The ‘lizard houses’, which can be seen from the footpath nestling among the long grass, were made from piles of logs, covered with corrugated sheets which were then wired down. The houses provided shelter, and the lizards also liked to bask in the sun on the corrugated roofs to warm themselves. Over the last 10 years various repairs have been made by the local volunteer team, but last winter saw the houses fall into total disrepair.

The Johnson Matthey volunteers, under the guidance of one of the local volunteers, rebuilt the lizard houses using logs sourced from the nature reserve, and the lizards now have new roofs to bask on. Some of the volunteers were fortunate enough later in the day to catch sight of a lizard enjoying basking on one of the new houses.

In the afternoon, the volunteers turned their attention to reinforcing a badly eroded river bank where the River Mel passes at the end of a footpath. The river is always an attraction for people and dogs and since the closure of the boardwalk this is the only place that the river is visible in the nature reserve. To maintain this viewpoint, logs and deer fencing (no longer required, as the shrubs it protected are now full grown) were placed to provide protection for the river bank.

We were lucky with the weather and thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of our volunteers these areas of the reserve will continue to support the local wildlife and improve the experience of visitors.

We are really grateful that Johnson Matthey volunteers want to offer their services to Stockbridge Meadows and hope that this relationship will continue and grow. Maureen Brierley 01763 262752

Common lizard Volunteers from Johnson Matthey