IT must have been quite a few years ago when I first came across the remains of the old Second World War American army hospital's water tower on Burlish Top.

At that time, it was just possible to make out the square outline of the foundations, the rest was only a big pile of brick rubble, which was now residing in what used to be the watertight bottom of the tower.

Where the brick rubble did not reach the brim of the watertight base, I could see water in amongst the bricks and in this water the occasional flash of life. Seeing this, I had the idea of clearing out the old structure to try and create a small pool on the nature reserve.

This turned out to be an enormous and back-breaking task as I had underestimated the amount of rubble the pool contained, not that it was just rubble.

As well as removing bricks and mortar, I discovered quite a few relics from the hospital's past too. These included medical phials, a collection of rusting white enamel bed pans and a selection of old bones, which ended up going to the police station just in case. I didn't remove all the rubble - a few choice bits were left at the bottom of what now was most definitely a pool. These pieces of concrete were left to provide essential habitat for many of the creatures the pool hoped to attract, including newts.

Over the past few years this sterile concrete pool greened up and has now become a real mecca for wildlife on Burlish Top. The pool water now teems with life, from water boatmen to smooth newts, which can be seen gliding through the water in the spring and early summer.

The pool banks are alive with reed rushes and yellow flag irises. Only last week I could hardly believe my eyes as I spotted a white pond lily in one corner. Surely someone out there must have transplanted this one, but nevertheless what a lovely sight it is. On the same day an equally beautiful dragonfly, the broad-bodied chaser, was also guarding the pool. The male of this large dragonfly has the most wonderful broad powder blue abdomen making it truly spectacular. How wonderful that a beast like this has chosen the old rubble-filled pit at Burlish to be its home.

The pool also provides water for many of the reserve's larger animals, which in dry times are often prepared to travel some distance to reach it.These can include foxes, badgers and even the odd grass snake. The best time to see this will involve, especially at this time of year, an exceptionally early start to get to the pool and settle into a discreet watching place well before dawn.