Reed Warbler nest
During the winter months the Cotswold Lakes Trust staff, and volunteers, undertake many tasks to enhance and improve the wildlife habitats on our reserves around the Cotswold Water Park. Amongst these is reedbed management. Reedbeds are home to a number of specialist birds, including Bitterns, Marsh Harriers and Reed Warblers – so removing excess willow and cutting channels to create more edges (popular with nesting Reed Warblers) can attract more birds. The channels are also popular with feeding herons and, if marshy, Snipe.
This work can only be performed in the colder months to ensure that breeding birds aren’t disturbed (which would be illegal). We often find Reed Warbler nests, which are skilfully woven around reed stems. And it’s not just birds; Harvest Mice build their fully domed nests in the same habitat. Channels cut through the reed also encourage fresh new growth and add to the patchwork of varied habitats for our wildlife to use. And, of course, we still leave many areas with willow, and other scrub, as this suits some species, such as Reed Buntings and Sedge Warblers.
The cut reed can be piled up into large mounds; this will gradually rot down – like a giant compost heap, and will provide suitable breeding habitat for Grass Snakes. It is generally acknowledged that Grass Snakes have declined significantly in the UK, though the extent is uncertain. Loss of breeding sites and the decline of amphibians, which are their main prey, being two of the main reasons. They are happiest in wetland habitats, so the CWP provides a vast area of suitable habitat, where their numbers should be healthy. I only see them once or twice most years, despite being ‘in the field’ an awful lot. Introducing suitable ‘reptile mats’ on our reserves, for them to hide under, may well provide a clearer picture of how they are faring locally.
Kim Milsom, Biodiversity Field Officer, Cotswold Lakes Trust
Reedbed before cutting
Reedbed after cutting