Reedbed
About 20 acres in size, the reedbed holds increasing numbers of Reed and Sedge Warblers each summer. Marsh Harriers have bred for several years and our first young Bittern was seen in 2003.
The reedbed was established through a mixture of planted plugs and seed. There is now a wide range of maturation within the reedbeds from young vigorous growth to mature stems. This variety is important for many invertebrates, such as the Reed Leopard Moth. Pools and ditches cross the reedbed providing a variety of shores and fringes.
The reedbed was established through a mixture of planted plugs and seed. There is now a wide range of maturation within the reedbeds from young vigorous growth to mature stems. This variety is important for many invertebrates, such as the Reed Leopard Moth. Pools and ditches cross the reedbed providing a variety of shores and fringes.
Reedbed Management
Reedbed matures rapidly and without management water levels will drop. This dries out the reedbed and allows scrub to grow. To maintain a good mix of young and mature reed so important for the species which colonise these reedbeds this succession must be halted. Water buffalo are used to graze some of the reedbed each year once the bird breeding season is over. The buffalo break up the dense thatch of dead stems and graze new growth. Compared to other grazers, their habit of wallowing creates tracks as they move through the reedbed to find suitable pools. When water levels rise these "rivers" through the reedbed provide excellent feeding sites for Bittern. We also plan to burn and mow certain small areas of the reedbed each year to increase the variety in reed growth and density.