Project Summary
REEDBEDS FOR BITTERNS
Bitterns numbers have risen recently, thanks to concerted action by conservation organisations. Still, in 2004, there were only 55 booming male bitterns. Eight organisations have joined forces as the EU LIFE Reedbeds for Bitterns Project to make sure that this bird continues to increase in number.
WHY ARE BITTERNS SO RARE?
Bitterns would once have been quite common in large wetland areas, such as the Norfolk Broads. However, as many wetlands were drained for agriculture and development or have naturally dried out, the bittern has had fewer and fewer places to go. Now there are only four counties where bitterns regularly breed - Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire and Lancashire. The bittern is still very vulnerable.
WHAT ARE REEDBEDS GOOD FOR?
Reedbeds have adapted to grow in shallow fresh water and, when the conditions are right, they will spread very quickly. Reedbeds:
- are magical places to visit at any time of the year
- provide a home for many animals such as otters and water voles; birds including marsh harriers, water rails and bearded tits; insects such as the swallowtail butterfly and plants
- act like giant sponges. They hold large amounts of water and help reduce flooding
- filter water, removing pollutants, as the water moves through
- provide reed for thatching and could be used in the future to fuel biomass power stations or heat homes
WHAT IS THE PROJECT DOING?
The overall aim of the project is to increase the numbers of booming bitterns to 65 by 2012 and to widen the range and number of places where bitterns breed.
With the support of a grant from the EU LIFE-Nature Fund, the project partners will develop a network of 19 wetlands across England, which are suitable for bitterns. With a budget of about �4 million, work is going ahead on a grand scale, including:
- creating 300 hectares (741 acres) of new reedbed - about 360 football pitches
- restoring 52.5 hectares (130 acres) of reedbed
- buying 127 hectares (314 acres) of land for nature conservation
- re-shaping 20km (12 miles) of ditches or lake edges - making it easier for bitterns to feed
- creating 11.5km (7 miles) of new ditches
In practice, this means a lot of big machinery moving huge amounts of earth to create new reedbeds, restore dry reedbeds, make pools for fish and re-shape ditches. Many millions of reeds are being planted and sluices installed to control water levels.
This exciting project will give this elusive and fascinating bird a much more secure future in the UK.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR?
Work is well underway around the country. Here are just some of the highlights:
- new areas of reedbed and open water have been created at Castle Water, Dungeness, Ham Wall, How Hill, Lee Valley, Silverdale Moss and Wigan Flashes
- old reebeds have been rejuvenated at Marazion, Minsmere, Titchwell and Walberswick
- many 1000\\\\\\\'s of reeds have been planted at 8 sites, including Barrow Scout, Dearne Valley, Langford Lowfields and Otmoor
- land has been bought at Ham Wall, How Hill and Potteric Carr
- ditches, pools and lake edges have been dug or re-shaped at 10 sites
- mud pumping has started at Leighton Moss
- Poole Harbour has been included as an additional site
Leaflets giving more detail about each site are available.
Do you want to know more?
If you would like to know more then please contact Sarah Alsbury, Bittern Project Manager, on 01767 680551 or e-mail bitterns@rspb.org.uk
WHO IS DOING THE WORK?
The project runs over four years(2002 - 2006) and involves a partnership of eight organisations -
- Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust
- Lancashire Wildlife Trust
- Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
- English Nature
- The Broads Authority
- Rye Harbour Nature Reserves
- Lee Valley Park Authority
- The RSPB
Many other organisations have provided support and funding at each site.
WHERE ARE THE SITES?
For more information about the project sites see Summary of Action
WHERE CAN I SEE A BITTERN?
Seeing a bittern does need a lot of patience and a bit of luck! Some of the best places to try and see them are:
- the Bittern Watchpoint, Lee Valley Regional Park, Herts (in winter)
- RSPB Minsmere nature reserve, Suffolk (especially in spring for the booming)
- RSPB Leighton Moss nature reserve, Lancashire (especially in spring for the booming)
- RSPB Marazion Marsh nature reserve, Cornwall (in winter)
- the Bittern viewpoint, Castle Water, Rye Harbour nature reserve, Sussex (in winter).
