Nature wins in Canterbury
Conservationists and local volunteers are celebrating a major victory for wildlife: Old Park and Chequers Wood, a unique green space on Canterbury’s eastern edge, has officially been designated a Local Wildlife Site (LWS).
Spanning around 200 hectares, the site is a rich mosaic of habitats, from acid grassland and scrub to ancient woodland. It supports rare and declining species of plants, reptiles, birds, and invertebrates. Almost 400 plant species have been recorded here, 16 of which appear on the Kent Rare Plant Register. Its diverse habitats also provide vital breeding grounds for nightingales, a bird in steep decline across the UK.
The new LWS designation covers roughly one third of the site, complementing protections already in place for just over half the land, including parts of Canterbury Golf Course, which is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This recognition, led by Kent Wildlife Trust in partnership with landowners and the Friends of Old Park and Chequers Wood, highlights the site’s exceptional biodiversity, its value to the local community, and its vital role in the wider landscape, including buffering the neighbouring SSSI.
but a testament to the dedication of the Friends of Old Park and Chequers Wood. Their efforts show the remarkable power of nature to bring people together
and give hope amid the climate and biodiversity crises.”- Dave Shenton, Local Wildlife Sites Officer at Kent Wildlife Trust
Confirmed by the Kent Nature Partnership and Canterbury City Council, the designation has been hailed as a “significant win for nature,” showcasing how grassroots conservation can safeguard Canterbury’s natural heritage for generations to come.
© Friends of Old Park and Chequers Wood
© Liz Corry
Wild-born chough fledges and thrives in Kent for the first time in over 200 years
A young red-billed chough has successfully taken flight from a wild nest in Dover, marking the first time in more than two centuries that the rare bird has lived independently in the wild in Kent. This remarkable milestone comes just three years after the launch of an ambitious reintroduction programme, led by Kent Wildlife Trust, Wildwood Trust and Paradise Park. The successful fledging marks a significant step forward in restoring this species to its natural habitat.
This success follows last year’s nesting attempt, which sadly ended when the chick went missing during severe weather. This year, however, the young bird appears to be thriving, offering hope for the continued growth of the population.
The news comes as the third season of chough releases gets underway. The project’s five-year plan is to introduce up to 50 birds to the South East. The Kent population is also part of a broader strategy to link up chough populations across southern England, overseen by a collaborative steering group involving Natural England and other leading conservation bodies.
Your views on BNG have been shared
In July, we asked you to support us in standing up for nature, in light of the Government’s plans to speed up development by changing the way that Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) is implemented. The Government’s consultation on the Planning and Infrastructure Bill claimed to improve the “implementation of BNG for minor, medium and brownfield development” but Part 3 specifically focussed on accelerating development with little regard for meaningful gains for biodiversity.
More than 13,000 Wildlife Trust supporters responded to the consultation, and over 600 of these were in Kent. This is a remarkable number – so thank you so much for being on nature’s side. We will continue to work to improve the Bill for wildlife and communities - both to address the ongoing risks of Part 3 and to add new measures for nature in the rest of the Bill.
Let's twist again
A moth species long thought to be extinct in England has made a dramatic return, rediscovered at our Lydden Temple Ewell Reserve near Dover.
Periclepsis cinctana, once known as the ‘Dover Tortrix’ and more recently renamed the ‘Tiree Twist’, was last recorded in England in 1952.
Butterfly Conservation ecologist Rebecca Levey was surveying the site with volunteers when she spotted the small, chalky-white moth and quickly contacted Dave Shenton, Kent Wildlife Trust’s Local Wildlife Sites Officer and Kent County Moth Recorder.
Dave confirmed the identification: “This is mind-blowing. I couldn’t quite believe what I was seeing. Has it been hiding in plain sight here all these years?”
By the end of the survey, the team had recorded 13 individuals, revealing a previously unknown population and sparking hope that the species may have quietly persisted in its former English stronghold.
