Ratby, Totem Field
Selected Wild Place / Other Wild Places / Public Rights of Way / VC55 boundary
At the Kirby end of Ratby, turn off Station Road onto Tavener's Drive and the site is about 100m on the right, just before the disused railway line.
Public open space
Site species count:
This small triangle of grassland and woodland lies on the southern edge of Ratby adjacent to the Ratby Band room. A surprising range of habitats are packed into this small area, including meadow, woodland, pond ditch, hedge and raised banking. The small pond supports a good variety of life and the surrounding habitats attracts birds and insects. When established as a wildlife area, a carved totem pole was erected and a specimen Black Polar tree planted in the grassland meadow. A deep drainage ditch and mature native hedge separates this site from the adjacent meadow - another excellent wildlife site in the village.
The pond supports breeding populations of Common Frog and Smooth Newt, as well as several dragonfly and damselfly species. The rough grassland and the banking along the public footpath include many wildflowers and grasses - all providing good habitat for a range of invertebrates. The tall hedge attracts many birds, including Redwings and Fieldfares in winter.
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