Paddock Wood wildlife expert calls for help from residents

A CONSERVATIONIST from Paddock Wood has called upon residents to pitch in and help safeguard the future of the town's wildlife.

Allington Road resident Steve Songhurst hopes to set up a nature group to survey species and habitat areas in order to build a complete picture of local life before 600 new houses are built.

The information would then be used to minimise the impact of the development on local wildlife.

Mr Songhurst, who has managed the Vinters Valley nature reserve in Maidstone for five years, said: "I understand from working in an urban nature reserve how housing developments change the dynamics of the species that you get.

"Not only do you get domestic cats, it also brings other predators, like foxes, closer to that area because there is food. I have three cats myself so I am not anti-cat, but I know the damage they can do."

A 48-year-old former bank manager who left the business world to study conservation, Mr Songhurst has been a volunteer wildlife worker in Paddock Wood since 1999.

He believes soprano pipistrelle bats, great crested newts and common toads are among the protected and endangered species that could suffer when vast new housing estates are created over the next 16 years.

As well as known places such as Foal Hurst Wood with its important dormouse population, Mr Songhurst has identified several spots which must be preserved, such as the ponds near Putlands leisure centre.

He said: "Last year I helped the Kent Reptile and Amphibian Group do a survey into finding out where toads breed.

"Those ponds are major breeding ponds for toads. On one occasion I counted more than 450 toads there.

"Those two ponds are very important because toad numbers are dropping drastically in the UK."

As familiar as he is with the local area, Mr Songhurst is now calling for town residents to tell him of other green spaces around the community where interesting creatures can be found.

He said: "If there are other people in Paddock Wood who are interested and would like to take up the issue then perhaps we can form a little Paddock Wood nature group."

To join the group or report wildlife sightings in Paddock Wood, email Mr Songhurst at paddockwoodnature@ hotmail.co.uk or call 07968 109687.