Print
Diggers start 'moving the earth' for wildlife
1 September 2010
Michael Copleston
Site Manager - Beckingham Marshes / Langford Lowfields
E-mail: michael.copleston@rspb.org.uk
FIVE-YEAR PROJECT FOR BECKINGHAM MARSHES’ WILDLIFE GETS UNDER WAY
Diggers are starting to scoop out the first loads of soil to create a wetland haven for birds and wildlife at Beckingham Marshes, near Gainsborough.
Water voles, dragonflies and birds, such as lapwings and redshanks, are just some of the wildlife that will benefit from new meadows and more than 4 km of shallow water ditches and pools.
The RSPB and Environment Agency (EA) project is being funded generously by the Heritage Lottery Fund; WREN, Natural England; and the Environment Agency.
The diggers are expected to finish creating the ditches and pools by this October.
And RSPB wildlife warden Paul Bennett will be getting out into the community around Beckingham and Gainsborough inspiring people about the landscape, its wildlife and the wetland project.
Michael Copleston, RSPB manager at Beckingham Marshes said: “It’s so exciting seeing the first scoops of soil being lifted out and new ditches meandering across the landscape.
“Once the network of pools and ditches is complete we will be amazed how quickly wildlife makes the site home.”
Peter Cox, Managing Director of WREN, added: “Through the Biodiversity Action Fund we’re supporting projects that will enhance, restore and revive some of the UK’s most precious habitats, providing a safe haven for British nature and wildlife. The team at Beckingham Marshes are now able to start moving earth to create valuable habitats. The work will have a really positive impact for many species of wildlife as well as the local community.”
Brian Dunning, Natural England’s Land Management Adviser said: “We are really pleased to be able to use funding from our Environmental Stewardship scheme to support this wetland project, which will see 95 hectares of old grazing marsh restored. The Trent Valley is an important location for breeding and over-wintering birds and the creation of this wetland haven will be of great benefit.”
Emma Sayer, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said: “Over the last 60 years there has been a dramatic decline in grazing marsh and grassland habitats across the UK. With the support of organisations like the Heritage Lottery Fund, the RSPB will be able to restore a range of important habitats at Beckingham Marshes which in turn will help support scarce and declining wildfowl species. Alongside the conservation work, a programme of education and volunteering activities will give more people a chance to learn about their local landscape.”
Sarah Fowler, Environment Agency Area Manager, said: “It is good to be able to work with the RSPB and other partners to deliver this wildlife haven at Beckingham Marshes. This is great news for biodiversity in this area and for the community who will soon benefit from having a thriving wildlife habitat on their doorstep."
Catch up with the latest news at www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/beckinghammarshes
Notes
Notes to Editor
1) For further information and interviews contact Michael Copleston, RSPB Manager at Beckingham Marshes on 01636 893611; 07799 638144; or Michael.copleston@rspb.org.uk
2) Excellent free images of the wildlife benefiting from the Beckingham Marshes project is available for this story by clicking on the below link and using the user name and password:
Link: https://www.rspb-images.com/respages/storysetsignon.aspx?key=c5c4ddf9-63b0-478d-bea9-9c6983eead2f
User name: MRO_BeckStart
Password: RSPB
3) How will wildlife benefit at Beckingham Marshes?
- Dragonflies spend much of their life underwater as nymphs. As adults, they fly above pools and ditches hunting for insects;
- Water voles travel by swimming along ditches and pools. They eat reeds and other water plants, and nest in holes burrowed in banks;
- Lapwings and redshanks prefer damp meadows for probing for worms and scraping out a shallow nest.
4) The funders:
WREN is a not for profit business that awards grants to community, environmental and heritage projects across the UK from funds donated by Waste Recycling Group (WRG) as part of a voluntary environmental tax credit scheme called the Landfill Communities Fund. Since 1988, WREN has granted over £141m to more than 5,300 projects which benefit people living within 10 miles of a WRG landfill site. For more information please visit www.wren.org.uk
For more information about WREN please contact Lucy Clegg or Hannah Freeman at Tribe PR on 01603 417722 or email lucy@tribepr.com
Natural England runs agri-environment schemes, which provide funding to farmers and other land managers in England to deliver effective environmental management on their land. Natural England is the government’s independent adviser on the natural environment. Established in 2006 our work is focused on enhancing England’s wildlife and landscapes and maximising the benefits they bring to the public.
Heritage Lottery Fund: Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 39,900 projects, allocating over £4.4 billion across the UK, including £227million to the East Midlands alone.
Environment Agency contact Bethan Eggboro, Communications Business Partner Midlands - East Area; Mobile: 07765 221211; Internal: 7 22 2625; External: 0115 8462625; Address: Trentside Offices, Scarrington Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG4 2BN.