News from RSPB Ouse Fen Nature Reserve
A New Quarry Partner
At Ouse Fen the RSPB are working in partnership with the minerals industry to transform the aggregates quarry at Needingworth into the largest reedbed in the UK. This will create a wetland home supporting priority conservation species like Bittern and their reedbed neighbours. It’s a great place for the community to connect with nature too. Having worked to do this very successfully with Heidelberg Materials for more than two decades, 2024 will see a new owner take over quarry operations and help develop the growing nature reserve. We look forward to working with Brice Aggregates to build on the great success of the project so far and the continued creation of Ouse Fen nature reserve.
Recent Wildlife News
It’s early days as far as the breeding season is concerned, but our first booming Bittern was reported in early February and our highest count so far has been 12 calling males. We’re delighted to see that our regular pair of Cranes are back on their usual territory, occasionally dropping into remoter parts of the working quarry.
One of the spring highlights has been a showy Great Reed Warbler singing from the reedbeds on Crane’s Fen for the second half of May. This is not our regular summer migrant but its larger, nosier cousin more commonly found on the continent at this time of year. Other recent sightings have included a lingering Black-winged Stilt and occasional fly-overs by White Storks and Spoonbills. Otters sightings, though still rare have been more frequent in the past 6 months.
Going back as far as winter the wildlife news that drew most attention was the starling murmuration over the reedbeds, mustering an estimated 100,000 birds. The reserve visitor car park near Earith was filled by visitors flocking to see this amazing attraction.
Reserve & Other Project News
Caring for our watery habitats involves both routine and less regular tasks. Our wardens, Hannah and Richard, have, as usual in spring, been busy adjusting sluices to set target water levels for breeding birds and other wildlife. More recently our local farrier hoof trimmed our 7 Konik ponies backed up by calm persuasion from staff and volunteers.
Meanwhile in the quarry restoration area, earthmoving contractors have continued over recent months to landform the eleventh cell and perimeter canal, east of the visitor entrance. The very wet weather required flood water to be pumped away from their work area into Cell 10 which has a consequence reached its design level far ahead of schedule. This has drawn in hundreds of wetland birds to wonderful advantage.
Springtime on the Fen – come and see
Spring and summer are undoubtedly one of the best times to visit the reserve. You can simply enjoy a reviving walk, hike through the reserve to the wider countryside beyond or just revel in the wide-open fenland skies. The latest visitor route to be created south of Cuckoo Fen (Route 1) has now been improved with bridlegates to offer a permissive bridleway between Long Drove and Long Holme Drove.
Ouse Fen is open during daylight hours via our visitor entrance between Earith and Willingham. To plan your visit go to www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/ouse-fen where there are links to online events booking for our ‘Booming Bitterns’ and ‘Reedbed Ramble’ guided walks.
If you’re feeling more adventurous you could try one of our new events this summer at neighbouring Fen Drayton Lakes where we are offering Canoe Safaris to experience hidden waterways by boat and organised groups can book our Wild(ish) Camping – go to events.rspb.org.uk/fendraytonlakes
See you on the Fen – The Ouse Fen Reserve Team
email: ousefen@rspb.org.uk
Article submitted by Chris Hudson, Senior Sites Manager Ouse Fen & Fen Drayton Lakes
