Frequently Asked Questions

Unfortunately, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust doesn't have the facilities to help with injured animals, however, there are some fantastic animal hospitals in Wiltshire that are always willing to help.

Occasionally, we all come across the sad sight of a dead animal. The Wildlife Trusts do not offer any services related to the discovery, reporting, or disposal of dead animals, but this page will help you know what to do if you find one.

We welcome well-behaved dogs on most of our nature reserves, except at Langford Lakes and Blakehill where they are not allowed, and in other areas at times when ground nesting birds or lambing sheep are present.

The Wildlife Trusts recently highlighted the issues of free-roaming dogs and their impact on wildlife here.

If you require an assistance dog, please contact reserves@wiltshirewildlife.org.

If you are planning to take your dog to a nature reserve, please act responsibly during your visit and help us to keep our sites safe for wildlife by doing the following:

Look out for our traffic light signs

If dogs are allowed, keep them on a short lead at all times.

Keep to the paths and do not let your dog near livestock

Some of our nature reserves are grazed for conservation purposes, such as Coombe Bissett Down and Markham Banks. By law, you must control your dog so that it does not disturb or scare farm animals or wildlife.

Consider other visitors

Not everyone is fond of dogs. Please keep your dog close to you. If you see a school group, please keep your dog on a short lead.

Pick up after your dog(s)

Please pick up after your dog and dispose of your waste in the bins provided or at home. 

Leaving it makes the nature reserve unsafe for families who visit, and for our rangers and volunteers who are out trimming the paths.

Dog poo can spread diseases to livestock such as Neosporosis, which can cause abortion in cattle, and Sarcocystosis which can cause neurological disease and death in sheep. 

It also damages species of flora which specifically need low nutrient soils to grow. A higher nutrient level means coarser plants will take their place, therefore impacting on the biodiversity of the nature reserve.

For further rules please read the Countryside Code and watch this short video:

We are aware of the Lime Down Solar proposals, encompassing both solar panel and battery storage installations. Climate change represents the greatest risk to nature’s recovery and therefore Wiltshire Wildlife Trust supports the development of appropriate renewable energy projects in suitable locations. While we endorse renewable energy in principle, we are acutely aware of the concerns expressed by local communities regarding this proposal.

We understand the importance of addressing local anxieties and will carefully consider the potential impacts of this development on habitats and species within the scope of our available resources. While we do not have dedicated staff for in-depth assessment of planning proposals, we will review the application and raise any objections as necessary.

Please note that Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is not a statutory consultee within the planning process and the scale of the Lime Down proposal means it may be determined nationally rather than locally.

Our Position Statement for Solar Energy Farms:

Climate change represents the greatest risk to nature’s recovery and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust recognises the crucial role that solar energy must play in decarbonising our electricity supply and achieving Net Zero.

Our sister but entirely independent organisation, Wiltshire Wildlife Community Energy (WWCE), develops community-owned renewable energy projects with the key objectives of using their resources to improve outcomes for nature and reduce carbon in Wiltshire. After servicing debts all profits go to benefit community projects which meet either or both of their core objectives.

Given the scale of the energy transition challenge, we understand that solar farms will need to be developed at commercial scale alongside an expansion of rooftop installations. However, we believe their placement and management should prioritise biodiversity, conservation and sustainable land use. We want solar farms to be established on brownfield sites or low-grade agricultural land where possible, minimising the impact on valuable habitats and wildlife. Furthermore, we encourage the incorporation of biodiversity enhancement measures into solar farm designs, such as wildflower meadows, conservation grazing, hedgerows, and tree planting, to create thriving ecosystems within and around the sites. This is what WWCE do with their solar arrays at Braydon and Chelworth. It is also something they hope to achieve with their new funding of solar at Silverwood School in Rowde.

We believe a balanced approach can be achieved where solar energy is generated, carbon footprints minimised and wildlife allowed to thrive. By carefully considering site selection, implementing biodiversity-friendly practices, and engaging with local communities, we ensure that our solar farms contribute positively to both our energy needs and the conservation of our natural environment. Wiltshire Wildlife Trust was the first Trust in the UK to form its own independent solar energy company on brownfield sites in Wiltshire. We continue to support Solar but only in the right place, being the right size and serving nature as well as the local community. For more information, contact WWCE.

No, you do not need to pay to visit our reserves. It is also free to park on the reserves that have car parking access.

Watch Members (junior members) are issued with a membership card, however, adult members do not get issued a membership card. 

Cutting meadows for hay is a traditional management practice.  These meadows developed through an annual cut to provide winter forage for livestock.  By taking a hay crop, we are removing nutrients from the system, which enables delicate wildflowers to survive alongside more nutrient-hungry and competitive grasses.  That is why hay meadows with a long, unbroken history of traditional management are so rich in wildflowers. 

The timing of the cut varies each year to account for differences in growing season and the weather, but in most years it mustn’t be left too late or the grasses will take over. On the other hand, we cut a lot later than farmers making silage to ensure that there are pollen and nectar sources for invertebrates and to protect ground nesting birds. We always leave an uncut margin to maintain some cover after the field has been mown, but lots of later-flowering species, such as devil’s bit scabious, will come through after the hay cut as they take advantage of the shorter sward. For more information please visit the Magnificent Meadows website.

Yes, we welcome groups visits but please book in advance with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. This avoids embarrassing situations when the site is closed for management or other groups have already booked in advance.  We would ask that a small donation is made towards the upkeep of the reserve.

If you would like a Reserve Officer to guide you or meet you on site this can often be arranged for a small charge.

We do not mind you picking a few berries and mushrooms for your own use. However, some of our sites are SSSI's and there are strict rules on collecting and removing anything and often written permission is required. 

Collecting should be limited and do not pick everything. 

Collecting and picking flowers is not acceptable. 

Commercial groups would need to contact the Trust and gain written permission in advance.

Typically no, however, it may be possible in some cases after written permission has been obtained from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust. 

Our nature reserves have it all – from wildflower-rich hay meadows, sweeping chalk grassland landscapes and peaceful bluebell-carpeted woodlands, to our rare wetland habitats.

Many of our reserves also lie close to historical points of interest, from the old Roman road, fifth century Wansdyke and the Cherhill monument close to our Morgan’s Hill nature reserve, to the wartime military airfield at Blakehill Farm nature reserve. Not forgetting, of course, the famous stone circle at Stonehenge close to our Langford Lakes nature reserve, and the lesser-known but equally impressive Avebury henge and stone circles.

These places in our care can be an inspiring backdrop for photography and filming and we are happy to help with any enquiries.

Visit our filming webpage for more information and to send an enquiry

Yes, we sell a number of items direct from the reserves.

Our coppice management generates items such as pea and bean sticks and sustainable firewood.  We also undertake some forestry work and produce bags of kindling and logs in various sizes.

Occasionally we have larger logs that may be suitable for cabinet making and turning (especially oak and cherry). We also cut several willow beds and generate bundles of living willow that could be used for structures, planting fedges, basket making etc.

We harvest seed direct from our meadows and often have quantities that we can sell.

We use the apples from our wildlife-rich orchards and sell bottles of Wiltshire Apple juice.

Occasionally, we have meat to sell from our sheep and cattle.   

Although each year is different, the peak flowering season for the snake's-head fritillary is in late April to early May. Fritillaries can be seen at Clattinger Farm and Upper Waterhay reserves. The Upper Waterhay population is unusual in that 80% of the flowers are cream-coloured. 

We no longer offer day tickets to fish at Langford Lakes. 

Fly Fishing on the River Wylye:

The Wylye is one of England's finest chalk streams. This two-thirds of a kilometre stretch is part of Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Langford Lakes Nature reserve and provides fishing for wild brown trout in spring and summer, and grayling in summer, autumn and winter. A great place to relax in the tranquil surroundings! 

We aim to manage the river as a sustainable wild fishery. The fishing is 'catch and release' only, and no stocking takes place. Instead, conditions for wild fish are encouraged. 

The fishing is often challenging where there are low branches, which are part of the habitat for fish and fly life. Access is best afforded by wading but beware of a few deep hollows. 

There is a syndicate on the river but day tickets are available. The river fishing is organised by Fly Fishing specialists Aardvark Mcleod and they can be contacted at www.aardvarkmcleod.com

Yes, we do surveys on a commercial basis: contact Jan Freeborn at Chalkhill Environmental Consultants. chalkhill@wiltshirewildlife.org 

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust manages woodlands throughout Wiltshire and sadly all contain ash trees which are infected by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus, also known as 'Chalara' or Ash Dieback.  From September 2022, a programme of tree felling works will be taking place in some of our woodlands. Felling will focus on the diseased and dying ash trees in areas with high public access.

Our plans are explained further through a series of Frequently Asked Questions below. As we progress, site-specific information will be made available on this webpage, so that you can find out how each of our woodlands will be affected.

We are working to remove American mink and allow remaining water vole populations to expand in size and range. As Mink have no natural predator in the UK, removal through management programmes at landscape scale is the only effective control mechanism. 

Read more about how we are protecting Wiltshire's water voles

Please click the link below for our guide to help you respond to planning applications in Wiltshire.

At Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, we strive to treat everyone with respect that we come into contact with. However sometimes issues do arise; if you are unhappy with your interactions with us, please rest assured that we take this very seriously.

Complaints should where possible be in writing and sent to:

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
Elm Tree Court
Long Street
Devizes
Wiltshire
SN10 1NJ

They can also be emailed to us at: info@wiltshirewildlife.org

Or call us on 01380 725670 

For complaints about fundraising, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is registered with the Fundraising Regulator and is committed to the highest standards in fundraising practice. In accordance with the Fundraising Regulator’s Complaints Policy, a complaint must be made to Wiltshire Wildlife Trust within 12 weeks of the fundraising incident or communication of which the complaint is made.

If after four weeks following the complaint, the matter has not been addressed or you do not feel that your concerns have been resolved satisfactorily by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, you can refer your complaint to the Fundraising Regulator (England & Wales only):

Fundraising Regulator
1^st Floor
10 St Bride Street
London
EC4A 4AD

0300 999 3404

enquiries@fundraisingregulator.org.uk

You can read our complaints policy below – please read this and get in touch with us if you would like to raise anything with our staff team.