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| Otter at Leighton Moss - David Mower |
The RSPB has
been carrying out important nature conservation work at Silverdale Moss, a
reedbed in North Lancashire, to make the site an even better place for
wildlife.
Reedbed is a
rare habitat in the UK, as much of it has been drained for farming and
development.
14 years ago,
the RSPB began creating Silverdale Moss, an extension to its well-known
Leighton Moss nature reserve, to provide homes for special wetland wildlife. By
transforming what was once a muddy field into a reedbed, the site is now
popular with a range of birds and other animals.
However, the
RSPB’s dream to attract otters and bitterns – a rare type of heron – to the
site has not yet been realised. Both otters and bitterns live on a diet
of fish. But the low water table a Silverdale Moss meant that the site wasn’t
providing enough fish to entice them in.
Thanks to
£48,000 of funding from Biffa Award, though, the RSPB has been able to take
steps to rectify the situation.
Jarrod Sneyd,
Site Manager at RSPB Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay nature reserve explained “This generous funding has allowed us to make improvements on
Silverdale Moss so we can better raise and control the water levels there. This
will increase the fish available and hopefully encourage bitterns and otters to
breed and thrive on the reserve. This work has enhanced the site for other
special wildlife, helping to make the nature reserve bigger, better and more
connected for nature.”
Gillian French,
Biffa Award Programme Manager said “We are pleased
to support such an exciting project to rebuild biodiversity in Leighton Moss.
We will be following this project with great interest, in the hope of seeing
otters and bitterns in this beautiful corner of Lancashire.”
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| Peter Bagnall |
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