RSPB Ham Wall at 30
Building a Bittern factory
RSPB Ham Wall celebrates its 30th birthday this October (RSPB archive)
Today, this magnificent reserve in the Somerset Levels encompasses a thriving expanse of reedbeds renowned for its bird spectacles: Hobbies hawking for dragonflies, booming Bitterns and the distinctive long-tailed Bearded Tits.
Yet 30 years ago, when the RSPB launched its ambitious habitat creation project, Ham Wall was a spent peat extraction site depleted of nature. The reserve was completely transformed to produce optimal conditions for breeding Bitterns, helped by extraordinary local volunteers growing and planting reed seedlings to create a wetland paradise.
Today, RSPB Ham Wall is a crucial stronghold for Bitterns; up to 22 have been heard booming there in spring.
Join us this October to celebrate Ham Wall’s anniversary with special events.
RSPB Leighton Moss at 60
Wetland wonderland
RSPB Leighton Moss (Photo: Jon Carter, RSPB)
Back in 1964, it was the presence of the rare Bittern, Britain’s loudest bird, that led the RSPB to take on the lease of RSPB Leighton Moss, also home to north-west England’s largest reedbed.
In 1997, just 11 male Bitterns were recorded ‘booming’ across the whole of the UK but, thanks to careful reedbed management, no fewer than 10 males were heard across Leighton Moss and Morecambe Bay reserves this year.
To hear so many Bitterns booming across the reserve shows that our habitat management work has been successful
Wider conservation efforts also encouraged Marsh Harriers to first nest in 1987, and Bearded Tits first colonised in 1973, as it became the perfect habitat.
“To hear so many Bitterns booming across the reserve shows that our habitat management work has been successful – and it’s reassuring to know that it’s attracting new birds all the time,” said Jarrod Sneyd, Senior Site Manager.
RSPB Saltholme at 15
One million reasons to celebrate
RSPB Salthome celebrates its one millionth visitor (Photo: Clare Freeburn)
RSPB Saltholme’s wonderful Teesside wildflower meadow and nature-rich wetland welcomed its millionth visitor in April.
Since it opened in 2009, Saltholme has become an important haven for breeding Common Terns, Avocets, Lapwings and Bitterns.
