Marazion
Marazion Marsh nature reserve, west Cornwall, is a new Special Protection Area (SPA) – an area designed to protect migratory birds and certain particularly threatened bird species. The site has been designated as an SPA because bitterns spend the winter here and aquatic warblers visit the reserve on migration.
Between 1960 and 1996, around 120 bitterns were recorded in Cornwall; more than half of these sightings occurred at Marazion Marsh. There have been two records of booming males during this time.
Previous restoration work has helped provide wet reedbed and shallow pools to diversify habitat and improve the quality for wetland species. One of the aims of the EU LIFE bittern project is to increase the area of habitat suitable for breeding bitterns.
The work at Marazion Marsh, which was originally scheduled to be finished in 2005, was completed on September 25th 2003. Bed lowering took place at Longrock Pool and Main Marsh and a new area of reedbed was created near Bog Farm. In total 29 hectares (ha), which is 71 acres, of reedbed and open water – bitterns favoured feeding places have been achieved.
As bitterns regularly spend the winter at Marazion, they could breed here now that suitable habitat is available. Establishing breeding bitterns in Cornwall will be a valuable step towards restoring the bird to its former range in the UK.
Marazion Marsh also has spotted crakes passing through, nationally important numbers of breeding Cettis warblers, and some important invertebrate species. Otters have also been seen.
You can find more information about Marazion in the reserves section of the RSPB website
