There has been a lot has been going on at RSPB Black Devon Wetlands Reserve recently. Inner Forth Project Assistant Robyn Shaw tells us about the exciting conservation work that has been taking place to improve the wetlands for nature and for you to enjoy.
Over the past few weeks, we have been busy carrying out some essential conservation work to improve Black Devon Wetlands for wildlife and for people, partly funded by NatureScot through the Biodiversity Challenge Fund.
The work has included the creation of a new wetland area adjacent to the brackish pools, re-profiling the edge of the brackish pools, and a new freshwater wetland near the core footpath. This has extended the area of wetland on the reserve available to wildlife, while also creating a visible nature scene for visitors to enjoy.
In the large freshwater pool, opposite the viewing screen, the edge has been re-profiled to open-up the area and create a more varied edge, plus, a brand-new island has been formed. This will improve the aesthetics for visitors and provide the birds such as teals, mallards and tufted ducks somewhere to loaf.
Photo Credit: James Leonard. Aerial pictures taken of Black Devon Wetlands wetland creation.
Photo Credit: James Leonard. Aerial pictures taken of the freshwater pool reprofiling.
In addition, 1ha of wildflower meadow has been created across the site to help improve the habitat for pollinators as well as creating a wildlife spectacle for visitors- once in full bloom.
If you live locally, why not check out our Free Easter Egg Hunt and win a prize between 1-11th April. The Easter Bunny has hidden eggs around the reserve, can you find them? Each egg has a letter below it, once you have found all 4, unscramble the letters for the MAGIC WORD! Send the magic word and your address to innerforthreserves@rspb.org.uk and we will post you a prize. This is an unsupervised, self-led activity that the community are welcome to complete in their own time, while abiding by the Government’s Covid-19 rules and regulations.
To find out more about the reserve visit our website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/black-devon-wetlands/ &