Ham Wall
Ham Wall nature reserve lies within the Avalon Marshes, near Glastonbury, Somerset. It is the site of former commercial peat diggings, which are being restored to be part of this great new wetland.
As part of the EU LIFE bittern project, enough reedbed has been created to provide a home for three pairs of breeding bitterns and a base for wintering bitterns. It will also become a valuable home for other animals, plants and invertebrates.
Work began in 2002 and finished in 2006. The land was excavated and reed seedlings planted to create 75 hectares (ha) of reedbed. Banks of earth create boundaries to the reedbed and hold in water at the correct seasonal levels. The water level is then controlled to provide the right conditions for reed to thrive. New ditches have also been dug, as bitterns like to feed along the edges.
Work was orinigally scheduled to start at Broomfield Marsh however due to delays in buying the land the work at Loxtons Marsh was brought forward. During 2002/2003 a 14 ha (34 acre) area at Loxtons Marsh was restored. This involved the construction of banks, re-shaping of reedbed areas and the planting of reeds. In just a few years, a new reedbed will emerge.
26 hectares of land was bought in 2004. A further four areas (New Grounds, Broomfields, Long Drove and Tinneys)have now been restored to reedbed.
The focus is now on managing these areas and a number of methods are being tried. These include reed-cutting by hand and using an amphibious machine called a Truxor and a Softrak machine and grazing with water buffalo and highland cattle. A trial has also been carried out of composting reed, which has been very successful. Composting is therefore being continued.
The marsh is next to Street Heath, an area of fen managed by Somerset Wildlife Trust, which has dried out because of peat extraction. The work at Loxtons Marsh will also help to prevent this drying out from happening, and thus restore Street Heath.
At Ham Wall you can see many birds, including reed buntings, reed warblers, marsh harriers, teals, gadwalls and bitterns, wintering bearded tits and hen harriers. Other wildlife seen on the reserve includes otters, water voles and lots of dragonflies and butterflies.
The reserve entrance and limited car parking can be found at Ashcott Corner on the Ashcott-Meare Road. Access is via the public footpath and disused railway line. Paths are open at all times and entry is free.
You can find more information about Ham Wall in the reserves section of the RSPB website
