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21 January 2007
Dive-in to help wildlife
A Northamptonshire nature reserve receives an underwater clean-up!
Divers from BSAC Northants 955 club braved the wind and cold on Saturday 20 January to clean up an important wildlife site. Twelve divers plunged into the icy cold water to collect litter from the lake, whilst other club members and families collected litter from around the drier parts of the site.
A skip full of rubbish was collected by the end of the day, including items such as tin cans, plastic bags and bottles, children’s toys, tyres and fire extinguishers. The hardy divers and volunteers were warmed up with hot drinks kindly donated by Waitrose.
Michelle Henley, senior reserves officer for the Wildlife Trust said “We are delighted with the amount of rubbish that has now been removed from the site. Many of the collected items can be very damaging to wildlife; birds can easily get tangled up in the rubbish and items such as fire extinguishers pollute the water. The Wildlife Trust would like to thank all the divers and volunteers for giving up their time to help us tidy up this important site”.
Emma Fleet, Training Officer for BSAC Northants 955 Dive Club said “We are very excited to be involved with the Wildlife Trust’s clean up operation at their nature reserve. It is a prime opportunity for members to utilise their diving skills in addition to helping wildlife. Instructors Andrew Fletcher and Neale Fleet carried out preliminary investigations to ensure the site was suitable and safe for diving on the day. We look forward to continuing and strengthening our relationship with the Wildlife Trust, and hope that we can be of further assistance in the future”.
Wilsons Pits Nature reserve, managed by the Wildlife Trust, consists of three disused gravel pits with areas of scrub, grassland and newly created scrape areas. The reserve was formed after quarrying for sand and gravel and is part of a larger Site of Special Scientific interest in the Nene Valley. The reserve is very important for wildlife especially aquatic insects and birds including kingfishers and great crested grebes. Otters are also regular visitors to the reserve.