A DEVELOPER says wildlife at a new housing estate has “increased significantly” since it started building there.

Countryside Properties, which own the Kingsmere site, in Bicester, has created new wildlife habitats that have attracted wading birds, bats and butterflies.

It comes after the latest annual ecology survey of the site was carried out by consultants Terence O’Rourke.

Andrew Carrington, director of Countryside Properties (Bicester) Limited said: “It is great news that the new habitats created at Kingsmere are proving attractive to wildlife and not only maintaining the populations of species on the site but also drawing new species.

“Our vision for Kingsmere is to create somewhere focused on the natural environment, where the green open spaces provide an attractive and peaceful setting and also promote biodiversity.”

According to Countryside Properties, the wildlife survey said ponds were now established at the site off Oxford and Middleton Stoney roads and had attracted birds such as sandpipers and little ringed plovers, both which had not previously been spotted there, and little egrets and gadwells, both less common relative of the mallard.

It also said more species of butterfly species than previously had been recorded at the site, including the small blue.

Bats including pipistrelles have been seen there and bat boxes have also been installed in the woodland area to attract more.