Whilst evaluating the feedback from the consultation on the replacement of Makepeace Hide, it has raised the importance of improving the provision of having shallow feeding habitats in front of the hide. Initially this wasn’t considered as a possibility in the hide replacement project as it was thought to be outside of its remit. However, after many discussions, some of the plans have changed.
We strongly believe that the best potential area for shallow water feeding habitat is southwest of the old hide’s location, this is something we are keen to create more of around the reserve anyway and with this in mind we have been working on plans and designs for this development which are as follows:
We will create four islands which will cover an area of approximately 2500m2 and vary in height. The primary concept of these islands is shallow feeding habitat set higher than the sand in front of Firth Lookout, but low enough that it will have inundation depths of about 10cm in bad years. This will still be usable by some long-legged species but will also ensure that some vegetation growth is suppressed to maintain the open habitat.
We will be constructing a wide ditch adjacent to the shore to provide a lot of the material for the islands and ensure they are as protected from mammalian intrusion.
The islands will be built up between 1.28m and 1.75m to reach the desired height.
6318.3240.Map 2 Shallow Habitat Design.PDF
Some of the challenges we faced with shallow feeding islands in front of the old hide location is the water depth, we have known this to be some of the deepest water in the lake (6m deep in July 2022) in comparison to the southwest of the old hide location which is much shallower. Also, the cost of finding and piling material in 6m of water would have been a lot more expensive and time consuming, and is harder to justify, especially with prime habitat adjacent to this.
With all the exciting plans to develop a new shallow water habitat, it brought into consideration the angle and aspect of the new hide. We know and appreciate the benefits from up-close nature viewing rather than watching distant birds on islands and we understand the need to create a close-up spectacle to enthuse and excite our visitors like that seen in Hanson hide
We have also realised that the view from Makepeace hide is like that seen from Firth Lookout and that, realistically, strong optics are needed to be able to see any wildlife, which excludes a good proportion of the visiting public from receiving the benefits of the hide. With all these elements considered we have decided that Makepeace hide should be moved to a new, nearby location which overlooks this shallow water habitat and is closer to the water level and even closer to the wildlife and provide much better viewing opportunities. The hide itself would be created by pushing through the bank and using that material to create some solid foundations.
We are going to take advantage of the lower water levels we are currently experiencing and plan to undertake the island work in the coming weeks as this is something that would need to be completed prior to the hide being installed. As a result, this will leave a gap in the bank which we will have a temporarily screen to enable viewing of this fantastic new habitat.
These are exciting times for the reserve, and we will keep you informed as we progress with the island work. We will advertise when we have firm dates for the work to commence, please keep an eye on our social media. It is estimated that the work will take approximately 10 days to complete.