Minsmere
With 179 hectares (ha, 442 acres) of reed-dominated habitats, Minsmere nature reserve is the UK stronghold for breeding bitterns. In recent years, Minsmere has been the most productive UK site in terms of nesting females and young bitterns raised.
A previous successful EU LIFE project Urgent action for bitterns in the UK made it possible to restore the reedbed here as habitat suitable for breeding bitterns. However, more suitable habitat is still needed, which is the aim of this EU LIFE bittern project.
To raise bittern chicks successfully, good access is needed to food supplies. We are improving the edges of the existing reedbed area – the bittern’s favoured feeding area – and increasing fish movement around the site. In 2002, 130 m of new ditches were created and 2500m of existing dithces were re-shaped. This year we have created a 0.5 ha (1 acre) pool and 350m of new ditches and re-shaped 650m of existing ditches.
As well as being an important site for bitterns, Minsmere has an important number of marsh harriers, bearded tits, avocets, little terns, gadwalls, shovellers, pochards, Cettis warblers and woodlarks. The site is also rich in other wildlife, including four species of wainscot moth, variable damselfly, natterjack toads, water voles and otters.
RSPB Minsmere nature reserve forms part of the Walberswick to Minsmere Special Protection Area (SPA), an area designed to protect certain particularly threatened species and migratory birds. The SPA is a chain of coastal sites that provides suitable breeding areas for bitterns and other wetland birds.
You can find more information about Minsmere in the reserves section of the RSPB website
