After three years of engineering works to create a network of pools and wet ditches across an area of floodplain grassland the size of 100 football pitches, the partnership project between the RSPB and the Environment Agency has opened a new trail leading from the Old Willow Works in Beckingham.
Michael Copleston, RSPB Site Manager hopes local visitors using the new short trail from the Old Willow Works building will enjoy the wide landscape views and catch a glimpse of the dragonflies, tree sparrows and lapwings that are settling into the new reserve.
Michael comments: “The hard work is now really beginning to pay off, it’s been fantastic to see new records of curlew, lapwing, water voles, barn owls and brown hares, to name just a few of the species that Beckingham Marshes are supporting”
The partnership project has been a great combination of local community help, with excellent volunteers such as Chris du Feu and Mr and Mrs Braithwaite helping with valuable wildlife surveys, working together with RSPB Conservation expertise for designing new wetland reserves along the important Trent Valley landscape.
RSPB Volunteer, Chris du Feu says:” The reserve is already different with all sorts of species returning. A pair of Curlews seeing off a hunting Buzzard was a sight unimaginable here, even five years ago. The future is bright.”
The new reserve has nearly 100 large wet ponds, 4 km of ditches and 3 windpumps to circulate water around the wetland features. All of the hard work has been generously supported by funders, including Heritage Lottery Fund, WREN, Natural England, the Environment Agency and Biffa Award, whose money has helped create the largest wet grassland creation project for Nottinghamshire.
Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, Emma Sayer says: “We are tremendously delighted to see all the hard work everyone has put in to this project result in such a resounding success.
“The East Midlands has suffered the greatest loss of biodiversity in England with less than 2% designated as important for conservation. The importance of this project is clear, and we are certain with the RSPB’s management this revived wildlife haven will thrive for generations to come.”
Lee Rawlinson, Environment Agency Area Manager says: “The work the RSPB and the local community have done here is really exciting and continues to bring lots of additional benefits for the area.
“Beckingham Marshes is an excellent example of how we can deliver together to improve the local environment that can then be enjoyed by people and wildlife.”
For more information visit the RSPB Beckingham Marshes website on the reserves pages at www.rspb.co.uk or call the Nottinghamshire Reserves Office on 01636 893 611