What’s new?
10 March 2009
'Titchmarsh Wetland Vision' becomes reality
Waders, otters and dragonflies benefit from funding boost
Over 20 national priority species will benefit from over £46,000 in funding for the Titchmarsh Wetland Vision project at Titchmarsh Nature Reserve in Northamptonshire.
The project was officially launched onsite on Thursday 5 March with a visit from funders, Wildlife Trust members, local dignitaries and volunteers.
The project includes conservation-grazing with native sheep and cattle to improve wildflower meadows; volunteers will restore tern rafts and a sand martin bank, as well as improving habitats by clearing encroaching scrub, controlling willows and clearing islands for birds to nest; new sluices will be installed to control water levels; and The Wildlife Trust’s Ecology Groups will monitor the work by surveying indicator species such as water-beetles and counting heron and other bird populations.
An ex-quarry, Titchmarsh near Thrapston is one of the Trust’s largest reserves at 72 hectares in size. With its diverse wetland habitats it is a popular site for water birds and attracts many visitors who come to enjoy the wilderness. It has Northants’ largest heronry, which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The Wildlife Trust was awarded the fantastic grant for the two-year project by Biffaward, a multi-million pound environment fund managed by the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts (RSWT), which utilises landfill tax credits donated by Biffa Waste Services. The grant was supported by third-party funding raised by the Trust’s dedicated volunteers who help care for the nature reserve.
For more information about this project please contact Tamzin Smith on 01604 405285 or email Tamzin.Smith@wildlifebcnp.org