The BTO Nunnery Lakes project
Following the restoration of a series of meanders along the Little Ouse in 1994 the flood-meadows have become a key habitat on the reserve. This project has enabled us to carry out important improvements and remedial work that further enhance the conservation value of this area. There are two main elements to the project:
creation of a new scrape in front of the observation hide
creation of a series of shallow pools on the flood meadows
Creation of a scrape:
When the meanders were reinstated an island was formed between the meanders and the straightened channel. Regular flooding on this area during the winter months highlighted its potential as a new wetland habitat. In spring 2001, a pair of Redshank nested successfully on the island, and two or three pairs of Lapwings breed there annually. In winter geese and ducks and Snipe are attracted to the shallow pools and marshy areas.
The excavation a new scrape has created a more permanent wetland habitat which will benefit a wide variety of wildlife including waterbirds, amphibians, dragonflies and Otters.
The proximity of the new scrape to the hide is another key factor, as it means that visitors will be able to get closer views of the species using the wetland area. This will in turn provide us with an ideal opportunity to introduce a range of educational and interpretative material relating to the project and its benefits to wildlife. These will be in the form of specially designed panels placed in and around the hide.
Creation of shallow pools:
The reinstatement of the meanders saw the resumption of annual flooding, particularly over an area immediately to the west of the river. However, in recent years strong currents have washed away a section of low bank causing a permanent lagoon to become established on this area. Prolonged periods of inundation means that this area is now devoid of vegetation and is prone to 'poaching' by cattle. The lagoon itself is too deep for most wading birds and supports a relatively small population of invertebrates.
The result
The breached bank has been restored to a height that still allows seasonal flooding on to the adjoining ponded area. The latter has been re-profiled to create a series of shallow pools rather than one large lagoon. This has already resulted in a flush of vegetation growth on the areas that were previously submerged for most of the year. The pools will hold water into the spring and support a large number of invertebrates, an important food source for passage waders and Lapwing chicks during late spring and summer. Finally, a sluice has been installed at the outflow end of the main flood area to enable us to control the water levels on this area.
The BTO
The British Trust for Ornithology has existed since 1933 as an independent, scientific research trust, investigating the populations, movements and ecology of wild birds in the British Isles. Our partnership between a large number of volunteers and a small scientific staff is a powerful, productive and cost-effective way of monitoring wild birds. Volunteers use survey methods developed by our scientists, who then analyse the records for publication. This work is a vital contribution to bird conservation, enabling both campaigners and decision-makers to set priorities and target resources. For more information visit www.bto.org
Following the restoration of a series of meanders along the Little Ouse in 1994 the flood-meadows have become a key habitat on the reserve. This project has enabled us to carry out important improvements and remedial work that further enhance the conservation value of this area. There are two main elements to the project:
Creation of a scrape:
When the meanders were reinstated an island was formed between the meanders and the straightened channel. Regular flooding on this area during the winter months highlighted its potential as a new wetland habitat. In spring 2001, a pair of Redshank nested successfully on the island, and two or three pairs of Lapwings breed there annually. In winter geese and ducks and Snipe are attracted to the shallow pools and marshy areas.
The excavation a new scrape has created a more permanent wetland habitat which will benefit a wide variety of wildlife including waterbirds, amphibians, dragonflies and Otters.
The proximity of the new scrape to the hide is another key factor, as it means that visitors will be able to get closer views of the species using the wetland area. This will in turn provide us with an ideal opportunity to introduce a range of educational and interpretative material relating to the project and its benefits to wildlife. These will be in the form of specially designed panels placed in and around the hide.
Creation of shallow pools:
The reinstatement of the meanders saw the resumption of annual flooding, particularly over an area immediately to the west of the river. However, in recent years strong currents have washed away a section of low bank causing a permanent lagoon to become established on this area. Prolonged periods of inundation means that this area is now devoid of vegetation and is prone to 'poaching' by cattle. The lagoon itself is too deep for most wading birds and supports a relatively small population of invertebrates.
The result
The breached bank has been restored to a height that still allows seasonal flooding on to the adjoining ponded area. The latter has been re-profiled to create a series of shallow pools rather than one large lagoon. This has already resulted in a flush of vegetation growth on the areas that were previously submerged for most of the year. The pools will hold water into the spring and support a large number of invertebrates, an important food source for passage waders and Lapwing chicks during late spring and summer. Finally, a sluice has been installed at the outflow end of the main flood area to enable us to control the water levels on this area.
The BTO
The British Trust for Ornithology has existed since 1933 as an independent, scientific research trust, investigating the populations, movements and ecology of wild birds in the British Isles. Our partnership between a large number of volunteers and a small scientific staff is a powerful, productive and cost-effective way of monitoring wild birds. Volunteers use survey methods developed by our scientists, who then analyse the records for publication. This work is a vital contribution to bird conservation, enabling both campaigners and decision-makers to set priorities and target resources. For more information visit www.bto.org
United Kingdom
Norfolk and Suffolk
