Kimpton Balancing Pond

Kimpton Balancing Pond is located next to the Kimpton Industrial Estate and contains a variety of habitats, including the Pyl Brook Meander, the Balancing pond and a grassland ‘buffer’ strip.

The Balancing pond was originally built to manage the flood risk to residents that live next to the site. The pond holds any surface run-off from the industrial units in heavy rains, this is then drained into the Pyl Brook and significantly slows down the flow of water.

When the pond was created, wet grassland and pond species were planted to create new foraging opportunities for the common pipistrelle, which use this green corridor as foraging habitat. The Balancing Pond is also a great habitat for damselflies, such as the blue tailed damselfy (Ischnura elegans) and large red damselfly (Pyrrhosoma nymphula).

A strip of grassland runs alongside the Pyl Brook and contains several common grass species and herbs that you would expect to see at a newly established site. Scrub, shrub and low growing species were planted in the grassland strip to increase the diversity of plant species found at the site and this abundance of bramble also provides fruit and cover for birds and small mammals. Butterfly species such as Speckled wood (Pararge aegeria) and Small white (Pieris rapae) can also been seen along the buffer strip.

The grassland strip ends at the Pyl Brook Meander, which allows the brook to flow at a more ‘natural’ course. The mature trees along the watercourse act as good nesting habitat for bird species such as house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and song thrush (Turdus philomelus) and deadwood provides a great resource for invertebrates. Tree and hedge species were planted in the surrounding areas when the balancing pond was created which will afford new habitat opportunities for birds, invertebrates and small mammals in the future.

Volunteer with us to protect this nature reserve in Sutton for generations to come.