A proper piece of old-fashioned downland, and getting bigger — the Poor Patch extension is a promising sign for turtle doves, one of Britain's fastest-declining birds. Quiet and unsignposted, so bring a map if you want to explore both forks of the valley.
A 63-acre Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve seven miles from Salisbury, taking in two forks of a shallow, steep-sided grassy valley of traditional chalk downland — once widespread in Wiltshire, now increasingly rare. Specialities include dwarf sedge, autumn lady's tresses and early gentian, alongside Adonis blue, grizzled skipper and dingy skipper butterflies, buzzard and sparrowhawk. Following a Turtle Dove Appeal, the Trust bought the adjoining Poor Patch field in spring 2025, extending the reserve towards land where turtle doves have been spotted.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve — free to explore on foot; many are dog-free to protect wildlife.