Reception Pool in 2017 (A.Grubb)
It’s that time of year again when breeding season for Burton Mere Wetlands’ priority ground-nesting wetland birds is over, but by no means does anything slow down. Quite the opposite, as the crucial habitat management work that takes a spring break to avoid impacting birds’ nesting, enters its busy autumn regime.
Not helped by the recent unseasonal weather, the summer drawdown of the water levels has begun and keen-eyed visitors in recent weeks will have noticed the return of the Carneddau ponies to help improve the wet grassland through grazing and poaching from their hooves.
However, a significant piece of work is about to get underway to dramatically improve Reception Pool, under and around the visitor centre, which whilst offering exciting prospects for visitors in the long-term will have some impact on what can be seen on the near side of the reserve between now and early September.
It’s hard not to have noticed how silted and choked this pool has become over the past couple of years, for a number of reasons including capacity in the team, enforced changes to ways of working during the pandemic, and challenges with the water level control mechanism. Starting very soon, we will have a contractor carrying out desilting and mechanical clearing of vegetation that has encroached significantly from the edges.
Vegetation-choked Reception Pool and main scrape in the background (D.Trotman)
Whilst a valuable habitat for some wildlife, the reed and rush habitat being removed is provided in much more substantial areas elsewhere on the reserve, and the purpose of this work is to create more open water areas and muddy edge for feeding and roosting wildfowl and waders – returning it to how it was in the early years of Burton Mere Wetlands, creating excellent close views of birds from the visitor centre.
At the same time, another exciting piece of rejuvenation work in this part of the reserve is the refurbishment of the sand martin wall which has fallen into disrepair. It has never been successful in attracting these brilliant summer visitors to nest but we’re hopeful some subtle design changes during it’s renovation, coupled with the return of open water in front of it, will encourage nesting for the first time next spring.
Eastward view over Reception Pool with sand martin wall just visible on the left (D.Trotman)
Inevitably, whilst this work is carried out, there will be an impact on the number and variety of birds to be seen from the visitor centre, Bunker hide and the new viewpoint. However, the water level on Centenary Pool will be dropped to expose plenty of mud and ample feeding area for waders displaced from the scrape. By no means does it mean you should avoid visiting in the next few weeks; it purely means you'll have to venture to Border hide and Bridge screen for the best birdwatching. Plus, don't forget the wealth of birds and other wildlife to be found as you wander along the extensive trails.
Finally, whilst this major improvement work is happening, scrub will be cleared from the banks of the western end of Reception Pool to open up the view onto the wetlands from our fantastic new cafe ready for when it opens later in the autumn.
Westward view over Reception Pool showing scrub to be cleared to maximise the cafe's view (D.Trotman)
Thanks for reading, and we look forward to welcoming you here soon.