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Revamp of Willow Tree Fen nature reserve should boost breeding cranes
- Jim Wright
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02 Dec 2021 17:18 - 03 Dec 2021 09:07 #4807
by Jim Wright
WORK has begun on a revamp of Willow Tree Fen - one of the smallest nature reserves in Britain to host breeding cranes.
Contractors moved in on Monday, both to reshape the reserve, owned by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, and to to create new visitor facilities.
In order to safeguard the cranes, the site has been closed to the public since January last year, but the Trust hope to reopen it in spring next year.
The work involves removing the central track in order to encourage water to flow across the land so as to enhance the habitat not just for the cranes but for other wetland birds.
Spoil from the track will be used to raise the car park to the level of the adjacent bridge, creating a raised area for the public that overlooks the whole reserve.
Eventually, the car park and Counter Drain bank will provide a walk with viewpoints looking over the site, allowing people safely to enjoy the reserve and the birds, away from the road.
New scrapes and pools close to this new viewing area will also be created.
All this means that the circular routes at Willow Tree Fen, which is not far from Spalding, will not reopen.
Says a Trust spokesperson: "We are very aware of the implications for visitors, and this is not a decision that has been taken lightly.
"However, we have a clear duty to do what we can to maximise the chances of success for the cranes.
"We have consulted widely over the best course of action, taking advice from the UK Crane Working Group, the RSPB and an individual with years of experience in working with breeding cranes."
It is thought that the breeding cranes might not have arrived if it were not for the relative solitude that the first lockdown provided, and there is a risk that the birds would desert if the circular routes were reopened.
Adds the spokesperson: "The views across the reserve from the new viewpoint will be superb, offering great opportunities for watching wildlife."
Contractors moved in on Monday, both to reshape the reserve, owned by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, and to to create new visitor facilities.
In order to safeguard the cranes, the site has been closed to the public since January last year, but the Trust hope to reopen it in spring next year.
The work involves removing the central track in order to encourage water to flow across the land so as to enhance the habitat not just for the cranes but for other wetland birds.
Spoil from the track will be used to raise the car park to the level of the adjacent bridge, creating a raised area for the public that overlooks the whole reserve.
Eventually, the car park and Counter Drain bank will provide a walk with viewpoints looking over the site, allowing people safely to enjoy the reserve and the birds, away from the road.
New scrapes and pools close to this new viewing area will also be created.
All this means that the circular routes at Willow Tree Fen, which is not far from Spalding, will not reopen.
Says a Trust spokesperson: "We are very aware of the implications for visitors, and this is not a decision that has been taken lightly.
"However, we have a clear duty to do what we can to maximise the chances of success for the cranes.
"We have consulted widely over the best course of action, taking advice from the UK Crane Working Group, the RSPB and an individual with years of experience in working with breeding cranes."
It is thought that the breeding cranes might not have arrived if it were not for the relative solitude that the first lockdown provided, and there is a risk that the birds would desert if the circular routes were reopened.
Adds the spokesperson: "The views across the reserve from the new viewpoint will be superb, offering great opportunities for watching wildlife."
Last edit: 03 Dec 2021 09:07 by Jim Wright.
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About Us
We are the Lincolnshire Bird Club. Our aims are to encourage and further the interest in the birdlife of the historic County of Lincolnshire; to participate in organised fieldwork activities; to collect and publish information on bird movements, behaviour, distribution and populations; to encourage conservation of the wildlife of the County and to provide sound information on which conservation policies can be based.