Birds
Reedbeds are important for a host of breeding birds including four species that are dependent on reedbeds for their survival:
Reed warbler: a summer migrant thatís breeds across most of Europe, nests high in reed stems, feeds on flying insects at interface of reed and open water
Bearded tit: likes drier reedbeds, nests located on the ground or low down in reed stems, feeds on invertebrates in spring and summer and mainly seeds in winter.
Marsh harrier: nest is a large platform of reed on the ground, feeds on small birds, mammals and other vertebrates.
Other species of conservation concern that are associated with reedbeds are:
Hen harrier: often roost in reedbeds, feeds on small birds and mammals
Cettiís warbler: insectivorous, likes scrub and fen and open water as it feeds on muddy margins during summer
Saviís warbler: insectivorous, likes large wet reedbeds with scrub and fen, nests near the base of tall grasses or reeds
Other breeding birds include reed buntings, sedge warblers, water rail, and many species of water birds in the areas of open water, such as teal and gadwall.
Reedbeds also act as important roosting and feeding areas for numerous common species such as starlings, swallows, and house martins. These large roosts in turn attract birds such as barn owls and sparrowhawks.
During the autumn, reedbeds are frequently visited by passage species such as the Aquatic warbler, which stops off on the way from Eastern Europe (where they breed) to West Africa (where they spend the winter) and sedge warblers, which fatten up on plum aphids before migration.
