Shallow stream running through a wet grassy meadow, with leafless trees and woodland under a clear blue sky

Furzey Lodge and Hawkhill Mire

Furzey Lodge and Hawkhill

Furzey Lodge and Hawkhill are two areas where fixed point photography has been used for wetland monitoring and restoration.

Continued monitoring of these restoration sites will take place to ensure the restoration work holds as expected.

Furzey Lodge

The straightened channel running through the lawn habitat south of Rans Wood has been restored to a more natural, winding and shallow form.

Previously, water remained trapped within the deep, straight channel during high flows.

The post‑restoration photos show that the new, shallower channel now allows water to spill naturally onto the floodplain during high flows, slowing it down and reducing erosion.

Shallow stream running through grassy heathland with cut logs on the bank and leafless trees under a blue sky

Before restoration looking upstream

Shallow stream winding through a grassy field with shrubs and bare trees, sunlight reflecting on the water

After restoration looking upstream

Felled logs piled on a grassy clearing beside a shallow stream, with leafless trees and blue sky with clouds in the background

Before restoration looking downstream

After restoration looking downstream

Hawkhill

At Hawkhill, the culverts were concentrating water flow, creating a deep erosion point downstream and causing the channel to erode back toward the mire, which was being unintentionally drained.

Following restoration, the repaired channel and new ford crossing allow water to spread more evenly across the area, slowing the flow and reducing erosion.

This will also help protect the mire upstream.