On 2nd February The Hanson RSPB Wetland Project celebrated World Wetlands Day in style this year, by flooding three new areas for wildlife at Ouse Fen nature reserve. The new sluices have been installed and were opened for the first time in January this year, just in time for World Wetlands Day. We will control the water levels in the new wetlands to ensure there is just the right amount of water in there for reed growth. Once reeds are established water levels can be raised to achieve the ideal conditions for bittern. The booming bitterns are our target species, but this work will benefit an array of other wildlife such as marsh harriers, bearded tits, otters, water voles and insects such as dragonflies.
The new carpark is open all year round and you can walk the new trails to discover this new end of the nature reserve and watch how the wetlands change and evolve over time.
Assistant Warden, Richard and Volunteer, Rick open the penstock to let water in from the perimeter canal into Crane’s Fen.