What does this mean?
This means between November to August the east trail past Patsy’s Screen will be closed to visitors. We will open this trail as part of the autumn trail between August and October.
Why?
Our aim is to establish a new heronry in Willow Wood which in time, we hope will encourage spoonbills to nest as well.
Willow wood is already a successful roosting site for up to 100 little egrets in the winter months.
Little egret pre roost at RSPB Titchwell Marsh, Phill Gwilliam
Currently as spring approaches grey herons and little egrets are not staying here to nest. We think one of the reasons for this could be disturbance caused by people walking along the east trail while the birds are prospecting in late winter/early spring and throughout the breeding season.
Birds such as grey herons, little egrets and spoonbills can be disturbed by people closer than 250m away, particularly when they are breeding.
Why do you need to close the path as early as November? Couldn’t you leave it later than that?
Grey herons and little egrets will start to prospect for a suitable breeding site in late winter. We also hope to persuade the birds that roost with us over the winter months to stay to breed, so we need to give them as much time as possible without disturbance so that they consider Titchwell a safe place to nest.
Why is it ok to open East and Autumn trail between 1 August and 31 October?
We know how much our visitors value being able to access this part of the reserve to be able to view wildlife from different locations. This time of year the birds will have finished breeding, but are not yet congregating is big numbers to roost. This is therefore the least sensitive time for the birds and the best time of year for visitors to be able to access this part of the reserve.
Why do you want to encourage spoonbills here?
Spoonbills were extinct as a breeding species in the UK for hundreds of years, with the last recorded nest in Trimley, Suffolk in 1668. In 2010 spooonbills established a colony at Holkham, and are gradually forming colonies at other sites in the UK.
Almost 500 birds have now fledged from Holkham (7.2 miles away from Titchwell, as the spoonbill flies!) and, as they are still considered a rare bird, we are keen to ensure the habitat is available to them in north Norfolk to continue to increase their numbers.
What is the spoonbills conservation status?
Adult breeding spoonbill, Phill Gwilliam
The species is of European conservation concern and a very rare breeding bird in the UK. They are listed on Schedule 1 of The Wildlife and Countryside Act.
How long will it take for the herons to colonise?
We hope that the birds will show interest in the area in the next year or two. It is likely to take a few years to develop into a successful heronry.
What if the herons aren’t interested after a couple of years?
We’d have to assume something else is not right for them here and we’d continue to work with our ecologists to understand why this might be.
As part of the recent habitat enhancement works in 2021/22 we have already started planting some of the islands in the reedbed with hawthorn, willow and some oaks to provide further habitat - so if Willow Wood doesn’t work, this area could.
How long for the spoonbills to arrive?
Other sites have shown spoonbills can start to show interest in a site soon after herons have established, but this is not an exact science, so we will have to keep our fingers crossed and binoculars at the ready
Will this work benefit any other species?
There is a chance that other colonists such as glossy ibis could nest here in future years, but as a starter we would be very happy to see egrets and herons and spoonbills nesting at Titchwell for the first time.
How will you know if closing the path during these months is effective?
We will continue to survey the little egret roost and monitor the birds’ behaviour. This should tell us if the path closure and platforms, fake nests and decoy birds are having a positive impact.
I’ve seen staff and volunteers in this area, won’t they cause disturbance?
Staff and volunteers will only be in this area if they absolutely must be, for example for habitat management or to carry out surveys. The way in which we carry out any work will be carefully considered before starting.
Where there are schedule 1 nesting species staff and volunteers will have the appropriate disturbance licences in place.
If this trial proves successful, will you always need to close this path between November and August?
Yes, if the herons and then spoonbills breed here, to protect them, we will need keep this area closed between November to August. If this is the case, we’d be looking to create much better viewing infrastructure to the east of the reserve.
So you’d build a new hide so we can view the heronry/nesting spoonbills?
Subject to all the usual caveats (e.g. planning, cost, our neighbours’ views) our intention would be to get you closer to nature.
Where has this been done successfully before?
Havergate Island has successfully attracted Spoonbills in to breed using nest platforms and decoys, and this has also been successful at sites in continental Europe.
How can I support this project?
I have more questions, how do I get in touch?
Drop us an email at: titchwell@rspb.org.uk or give us a call on: 01485 211970