Information Board at Sheepwash Pond, Prestwood (2)

Image: © David Hillas Taken: 27 May 2019

This photo shows a close-up view of the information board by the sheepwash pond in Honor End Lane. It has the following wording: Welcome to Sheepwash Left Column Sheepwash is an ancient pond; at one time the largest of several on the old Prestwood Common. It sits alongside an old drovers road and was used as a watering place for sheep on the way to market. Ponds like this were also used for washing sheep before shearing or selling at market. The sheep were immersed in the water to remove dirt and oils in the wool. Clean sheep commanded higher prices and the fleeces had to be washed before they could be combed and spun by home weavers. Early in the twentieth century the pond fell out of use and became sadly neglected. In 2007, Prestwood Nature volunteers restored the pond and installed the dipping platform and picnic table. The photos in the left column show: i) Sheepwash before restoration ii) Replanting the banks after digging out and removing overhanging vegetation. Right Column Today, Sheepwash is maintained by volunteers from Prestwood Nature as a wildlife habitat which can be enjoyed by people of all ages. These are some of the things you may see here. i) Common Blue Damselfly ii) Red Kite iii) Common Reed iv) Purple Loosestrife v) Marsh Marigold vi) Gorse vii) Peacock Butterfly viii) Palmate Newt ix) Common Frog At the right hand side of the board, there is a photo and description of a Nuthatch, the wording as below: A small. plump bird about the size of a great tit. It has blue-grey wings, a black stripe on its head, a long black pointed bill and short legs. The nuthatch breeds in this area and can often be seen clinging to the sides of trees. They eat small insects and various nuts and seeds.

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