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Our work here
11 October 2010
Lakenheath Fen reserve comprises a mixture of wetland and woodland south of the Little Ouse in Suffolk. It is best known for its breeding golden orioles. But the RSPB is also working hard to restore wetland habitats that will provide a home for many more species.
These form part of a broader network of wetlands across the fenland region, that will both restore its former biodiversity and help protect it from the threats posed by rising sea levels.
Wetland restored
Lakenheath Fen was once mostly carrot fields. Like many fenland sites, its wetlands had been lost to agriculture centuries before. Since 1995, however, we have been working to restore approximately 200 ha of the reserve to a wetland mosaic of washland, wet reedbed, ungrazed fen and wet grassland.
This has encouraged a variety of birds, including cranes, bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers, lapwings and redshanks, as well as other wetland wildlife. Our work includes grazing and controlling water levels.
Networking
With its wetlands restored, Lakenheath will join a network of other fenland nature reserves. These include Wicken Fen, Chippenham Fen, Woodwalton Fen and the washlands of the rivers Great Ouse and Nene. Many are now undergoing similar restoration and extension projects.
Together they will help restore the region's original natural character and biodiversity. They will also help us to replace coastal marshes, before pending sea-level rise changes this habitat to a saline eco-system.
Poplar attraction
Lakenheath also protects an area of damp, poplar-dominated woodland. We are managing this habitat for its breeding golden orioles, which are a major attraction for birdwatchers in summer.
Visitors
At present the golden orioles remain Lakenheath's main attraction. As our work continues, however, we would like to increase visitor interest in the process of creating and looking after wetland habitats, and their broader range of year-round wildlife.
We are working to provide appropriate facilities for visitors, both RSPB members and the local community, to enable them to enjoy the sights and sounds of a large, natural-looking wetland.
We would like visitors to appreciate both what has been lost from the fens, and how conservation organisations are able to restore such areas for the future.
Starlings
Due to the reserve's close proximity to RAF Lakenheath (an important United States Air force base) the RSPB, as a responsible neighbour, work closely with the Ministry of Defence (MOD). We recognise that starlings in large flocks can present a serious hazard to aircraft, and that this is an issue of public safety and human health.
At the request of the MOD, we organise access to the reserve by RAF Lakenheath's Bird Management contractor. Roosts of starlings exceeding 10,000 birds are disturbed and dispersed using a range of non-harmful methods such as pyrotechnics and alarm calls. Licences needed for this activity have been obtained and the impact on other species using the Fen is closely monitored. Please contact us at the reserve if you would like any more information.