A RARE inland sighting of an arctic breeding wading bird has been recorded on a newly-created pond at a Purbeck reserve.

The grey phalarope was spotted on the largest of six new ponds at The Dorset Wildlife Trust’s Tadnoll and Winfrith reserve, north of Winfrith Newburgh.

Classed as ‘scarce’ in the UK and rarely found so far inland, it is thought the stormy weather had encouraged the bird to feed on the pond in the Prison Fields area on the reserve, just weeks after its creation as part of SITA Trust pond link project. The new ponds are proving a wildlife success story already, with green sandpipers, snipe and grey wagtails also spotted using the ponds by conservation officers. Diving beetles, water beetles, lesser water boatmen common darters and dragonflies were also recorded just two weeks after the ponds were created in September.

DWT’s assistant conservation officer, Ali Quinney, who is leading on this project said: “It is so exciting that so many new species are already using the ponds at such an early stage, and to have rarities like the grey phalarope make use of the pond is fantastic.

“The site has so much potential and this conservation work will not only improve habitat for the wildlife already in the area, but attract new wildlife too.”

Following on from the success of wetland creation works in 2007 in this area, the new ponds have been built to connect two existing areas of wetland habitat, and create a network of new ponds and wetland habitat. Further upgrades to the bird hide and dragonfly identification workshops are planned for the next year.

There are still opportunities for members of the local community to get involved. Contact Ali Quinney on 01305 264620 or email aquinney@dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk for more information.