Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I do if I find an injured or dead animal?

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.

Who? Where? Contact
Oak & Furrows Cricklade 01793 751412
Wiltshire Wildlife Hospital Salisbury 07850 778752 (Emergency Number)

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.

Are dogs allowed?

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.

Signage with instructions for dog owners

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:

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

Do I need to pay to visit your nature reserves?

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.

Do we issue membership cards?

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

Why do you cut your meadows?

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.

Can I bring a group to the Nature Reserve?

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.

Can I gather items such as berries and mushrooms from the reserves?

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.

Can I use a metal detector on sites owned by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust?

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

Do you allow filming and photography on your nature reserves?

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

Do you sell any produce from the reserves?

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.   

When do the snakes-head fritillaries come out and where can I go to see them?

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. 

How can I fish at Langford Lakes?

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

Aardvark McLeod Fly Fishing

Will you do a survey for us?

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

How are you dealing with ash dieback?

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.

Can you help with a planning application?

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

How do I make a complaint?

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
1st 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.