Echo Lodge Meadows Nature Reserve
This Reserve, named after the nearby Echo Lodge, was purchased in 1977 with support from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The reserve covers 15.3ha and includes several different meadows; Wood Field is a large area of grassland that was part of Webb’s Wood until it was cleared in the 1950’s.
Skinner’s Ground and Ditch Field are much older and sheltered, flower-rich meadows laying either side of Woodbridge Brook, which, with its own special habitat forms much of the southern boundary. Skinner’s Ground is the richest site for wild flowers. More than 80 species of flowering plants have been recorded in this meadow. In the middle is a pond, overhung by an old oak pollard, where Gipsywort (Lycopus europaeus) can be found.
The Copse is a small area of ancient woodland containing many coppice stools of the uncommon Small-leaved Lime (Tilia cordata).
Webb’s Wood further enhances the site, it surrounds Skinners Ground on three sides, provides a west-facing woodland edge in Ditch Field and a long south facing edge along the northern side of Wood Field.
Wildlife
The meadow and woodland edges are home to many butterflies, nearly thirty species have been observed here. While Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina), Common Blue (Polommatua icarus) and Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) are present in very large numbers, Marbled White (Melanargia galathea), Small heath (Coenonympha pamphilus) and Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas) can also easily be found. More careful searching is needed for the Dingy Skipper (Erynnis tages) and Brown Argus (Aricia agetis) and in particular for the Brown Hairstreak (Thecla betulae). Flowers include Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Saw-wort (Serratula tinctoria), and Fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica).
History and management
The site has had several owners in recent years and management has not always been sympathetic to wildlife. However it was put into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in 1993 and since then has been managed for hay with aftermath grazing. No fertilisers or other agricultural chemicals have been used since then.
This pattern will continue for Skinner’s Ground and Ditch Field, with an annual hay cut taken in July with aftermath grazing by young cattle or sheep in the autumn. This will allow the wild flowers to compete successfully with the more vigorous grasses, maintaining the present richness of the meadows and encouraging the flowers to recolonise sparser areas of the fields.
For Wood Field, which is much less flower-rich, management will be predominantly by grazing. This will especially benefit invertebrates as well as encouraging a gradual increase in plant-species richness.
It is hoped that by delaying grazing until June conditions might prove suitable to encourage Curlews (Numenius arquata) to nest. Later grazing will also be beneficial to Adder’s-tongue fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum), which occurs at several sites in the field.
The ancient hedgerows and woodland edges of Ditch Field and particularly Skinner’s Ground are rich in Blackthorn that provides food, habitat and shelter for a wide range of wildlife. This is coppiced on a rotational basis, the warmer south and west facing sections in particular being managed to provide a succession of young growth required by egg-laying Brown Hairstreak butterflies.
Other Information
Dogs are allowed, but must be on a short leash at all times of year.
Best time to visit: May-June
Habitat: Wildflower meadow, woodland, stream, hedgerows
Specialities of the reserve: Wide range of wild flowers, Brown hairstreak butterfly, ancient Small-leaved Lime coppice stools.
Location: Leave Wootton Bassett on the B4042 towards Brinkworth. Take the second right (Wood Lane) 1.5 miles after the motorway underpass. About 0.5 miles along Wood Lane, after crossing a small bridge, turn right down a track to a car park. The reserve entrance and information board are on the right at the entrance to the car park at SU042854. There is a cycle stand available.
