TALES FROM THE RIVERBANK
A regular series of stories from the Great Ouse Valley Trust.
BIGGEST REED BED!
We are so lucky. Why? Well, less than a ten-minute drive away (6 miles), to Earith, a wetland reserve is being created that will be larger than any other in the country. It is commonly accepted now that if nature conservation in the UK has any chance of succeeding, it has to be on a big scale. In our area we can feel we are showing the way!
And now, it is much easier for you to see for yourselves. The new entrance is a right turn soon after Hermitage Marina on the Shelford Road to Willingham (B1050). There you will find good parking, signage, picnic tables, trails and viewpoints. And a breath-taking landscape. Waving reed beds and meres stretch into the distance as far as you can see. This is how the Fens must have appeared before they were drained. And this is only the half-way stage of the project – another 15 years to go!
Why is this important? Wildlife habitats are under enormous pressure with many species now endangered from the increasing demands of our growth and development. But wildlife is important too and so we need to balance both needs to ensure a healthy environment for us all. The restoration of wetlands by the RSPB as Hanson extracts the sand and gravel is part of this process. And it is working. Many bird species once common here are now returning in numbers – Bittern, Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, Little, Great and Cattle Egrets, for example, plus thousands of wintering waterfowl. Otters too have discovered the area.
Even the humble Starling puts on a show. Vast flocks swoop in to weave fantastic shapes in the sky at dusk before settling into the reeds to roost. This is happening now so pop in (it’s free) about half-an-hour before sunset and marvel at one of the wonders of the natural world – just down the road!
We are fortunate to have opportunities like this in our beautiful Great Ouse Valley. If you are interested in the Trust you can visit www.greatousevalleytrust.org.uk and follow us on Facebook.
