What’s new?
Awash with wildlife in Cambridgeshire
Two important nature reserves in Cambridgeshire have recently been improved for wildlife and visitors following the completion of the Awash with Wildlife project.
Over £40,000 has been invested over the last three years at Stanground Wash nature reserve on the east side of Peterborough and Ouse Washes nature reserve near Manea.
The project has improved habitat conditions for wildlife, enhanced safety and information for visitors and provided training and experience for volunteers.
The success of the Awash with Wildlife project was celebrated this week by the Wildlife Trust and funders Biffaward, with a guided walk around Stanground Wash nature reserve.
Reserves Manager Matt Hamilton said: “Stanground Wash nature reserve is a distinctive mixture of wet grassland, ditches and free draining embankment, tucked in between rivers and a railway line. It is important for birds, rare invertebrates, especially beetles, wasps and flies as well as being home to water vole and spined loach.
“Ouse Washes is a large nature reserve of wet grasslands (washlands) and is used by thousands of wintering birds. In summer, nationally important numbers of breeding birds can be seen including lapwing and black-tailed godwit. Other wildlife includes the harvest mouse.
“Visitors to the nature reserves will benefit from improvements to bird hides and boardwalks at Ouse Washes, including disabled access to one of the bird hides, and repairs to a fences and banks at Stanground Wash ensuring pubic and animal safety at the reserve.”
The work was undertaken by staff and volunteers of the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Peterborough and supported by a £41,592 grant from Biffaward.
The reserves are open all year round to visitors.