From barren to buzzing: bats, bees, birds and bugs benefit from community-led scheme

A piece of barren land in north Dorset has been transformed into a nature haven for people and wildlife, including the rare Greater Horseshoe Bat.

The 13 hectare site, which is an extension to the popular Milldown Nature Reserve, has been carefully designed to support biodiversity, with a particular focus on providing habitats for moths, beetles and spiders - the main prey for the Greater Horseshoe Bat.

Now flourishing as a chalk downland meadow, the reserve boasts a rich variety of habitats and landscape features, supporting an abundance of flora and fauna.

Dorset Council, with support from Cranborne Chase National Landscape Farming in Protected Landscapes programme (FiPL), bought the land over three years ago from a local landowner and has since transformed it into a wildlife wonderland.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Dorset Council Rangers and community volunteers – plus financial contributions from developers and the council - the land is now thriving.

Dorset Council leader and Cabinet member for Climate and Nature, Cllr Nick Ireland said:
“I am astonished at the transformation of this site – going from a wildlife desert to a wildlife oasis. 

“This area is now bustling with wildlife, which is testament to all of the hard work our teams have done, along with volunteers, to create a beautiful haven. 

“The extension has increased public access to nature by expanding the existing, widely used Milldown Nature reserve, as well as create educational opportunities and a space for health and wellbeing on the edge of Blandford Forum.

“This work demonstrates how the council is playing a leading role in helping nature to recover, fulfilling the aims of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and our corporate climate and nature priority.” 

Community involvement has been central to the project’s success. During Winter 2023, more than 120 volunteers joined the Greenspace Ranger Team to plant over 3,000 native hedgerow whips, plus 70 trees, which were donated by residents of Blandford. These provide essential food sources such as nuts, berries and nectar for wildlife.

Linda Nunn, Director of Cranborne Chase National Landscape added:

“Located within Cranborne Chase National Landscape (CCNL) and adjoining Dorset National Landscape, Milldown Nature Reserve plays an important role in connecting habitats and building ecological resilience across the wider landscape.

“Through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, we’ve been pleased to support both its acquisition and ongoing improvements, and it’s fantastic to see the benefits already emerging for wildlife and people.”

Ongoing monitoring will help track the site’s development, with bat and moth surveys planned for the summer. Wildflower surveys will also be carried out as the meadow continues to evolve and new species emerge and flourish.

A piece of barren land in north Dorset has been transformed into a nature haven for people and wildlife, including the rare Greater Horseshoe Bat.

The seven-hectare site, which is an extension to the popular Milldown Nature Reserve, has been carefully designed to support biodiversity, with a particular focus on providing habitats for moths, beetles and spiders, - the main prey for a Greater Horseshoe Bat.

Now flourishing as a chalk downland meadow, the reserve boasts a rich variety of habitats and landscape features, supporting an abundance of flora and fauna.

Dorset Council with support from Cranborne Chase National Landscape Farming in Protected Landscapes programme (FiPL) bought the land three years ago from a local landowner and has since transformed it into a wildlife wonderland.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Dorset Council Rangers and community volunteers – plus, financial contributions from developers and the council - the land is now thriving.

Dorset Council leader and Cabinet member for Climate and Nature, Cllr Nick Ireland said: “I am astonished at the transformation of this site – going from a wildlife desert to a wildlife oasis. 

“This area is now bustling with wildlife, which is testament to all of the hard work our teams have done, along with volunteers, to create a beautiful haven. 

“The extension has increased public access to nature by expanding the existing, widely used Milldown Nature reserve, as well as create educational opportunities and a space for health and wellbeing on the edge of Blandford Forum.

“This work demonstrates how the council is playing a leading role in helping nature to recover, fulfilling the aims of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and our corporate climate and nature priority.” 

Community involvement has been central to the project’s success. During Winter 2023, more than 120 volunteers joined the Greenspace Ranger Team to plant over 3,000 native hedgerow whips, plus 70 trees, which were donated by residents of Blandford. These provide essential food sources such as nuts, berries and nectar for wildlife.

Linda Nunn, Director of Cranborne Chase National Landscape added:

“Located within Cranborne Chase National Landscape (CCNL) and adjoining Dorset National Landscape, Milldown Nature Reserve plays an important role in connecting habitats and building ecological resilience across the wider landscape.

“Through the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, we’ve been pleased to support both its acquisition and ongoing improvements, and it’s fantastic to see the benefits already emerging for wildlife and people.”
 

Data collected every July which records adult bat numbers for the National Bat Monitoring Programme, show the population of the Greater Horseshoe bat at Bryanston School has steadily increased over the last few years: 

• 2025 - 685
• 2024 - 660
• 2023 - 606
• 2022 - 538

Ongoing monitoring will help track the site’s development, with bat and moth surveys planned for the summer. Wildflower surveys will also be carried out as the meadow continues to evolve and new species emerge and flourish.

Read about how we're tackling Dorset's nature recovery crisis here.