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Our work here
18 May 2007
North Warren comprises a range of coastal, wetland and heathland habitats with outstanding biodiversity. RSPB management has helped restore their condition and encourage important wildlife to return.
Today we are maintaining and extending these habitats, while delivering a wildlife spectacle for visitors. In the long term the reserve will join a chain of protected sites along the Suffolk coast. Meanwhile we are closely monit
oring water quality, vegetation and key species.
Bitterns and beyond
We are managing the reedbed and fen to boost breeding bitterns, aiming for at least two regular nests. This will also benefit other fauna, including water voles and moths. We will keep the reedbed flooded from April to July, maintain the open water, control scrub and increase fish numbers. Work includes cutting back marginal vegetation, excavating to re-create wet reedbed, cutting and mowing reedbed and fen, and maintaining water levels.
Great grassland
We are managing lowland wet grassland for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl, including lapwings, redshanks, gadwalls and shovelers. Mowing, topping and summer grazing with cattle help us create the right grassland structure, and we maintain shallow flooding from December to March. We also keep the ditches in good condition, with high water levels.
Healthy heathland
We are managing heathland and acid grassland for breeding woodlarks and nightjars, as well as invertebrates such as silver-studded blues and ant-lions. We are also extending this habitat to encourage stone-curlews to recolonise.
To create the right vegetation balance, we are encouraging dwarf shrubs and heather, while reducing bracken, scrub and gorse. Measures includes grazing with sheep, mowing, removing scrub, burning heather, controlling bracken and excavating areas of bare ground.
Shingle and dunes
We are managing the vegetated shingle ridge and dune grassland in order to maintain the range of the rare sea pea. Work includes minimising disturbance, erecting two sea pea enclosures during summer and patrolling regularly.
For people
We maintain a discreet network of paths for visitors, which complements the more developed facilities at nearby Minsmere. We also contribute to the local economy by employing two full–time staff and using local suppliers. Meanwhile we work closely with local landowners and support community-based conservation projects.