Natural England

For a second successive year flooding at the 2400ha Ouse Washes has destroyed hundreds of nests and chicks of internationally important ground nesting waders as well as the nests and eggs of hundreds of ducks.

While scant comfort to this scale of loss, Natural England has supported recent establishment of a number of alternative, flood-free breeding sites close to the Washes, offering a lifeline for some of those waders and ducks whose breeding season may otherwise have been washed out.

One such refuge, a 23ha wetland oasis amidst arable fields, has been established by the owner, Dr.Tony Martin with support from one of the country’s first Higher Level Stewardship agreements which commenced in February 2006 and is administered by Natural England

Breeding birds displaced by the floods and seeking new, safe areas to nest are finding the site, located 2km from the Ouse Washes near the Fenland village of Pymoor. This year the site hosted remarkable numbers of waders such as avocet and lapwing despite only being reverted from cereal stubble two years ago.

Dr. Tony Martin said: “The speed with which such numbers and variety of birds have made this site their home takes my breath away, and has made all the effort very worthwhile. The site is relatively small, but provides a diversity of habitats that seems to be very attractive to wildlife year-round. The vision of avocet families in front of the hide in summer, or large flocks of swans in winter, is simply magical.

The success includes; 14 breeding pairs of the elegant avocet, 40 pairs of lapwing, 12 pairs of redshank, 1 pair of oystercatcher and 3 pairs of little ringed plover. Duck species include 6 pairs of shoveler, 5 pairs of gadwall and 20 pairs of mallard. All these species have produced young this year.

Dr. Nigel Russell, Conservation and Land Management Adviser for Natural England, commented: “The success of Tony Martin’s wetland site in offering alternative habitat for waders and wildfowl close to the Ouse Washes, informs and encourages other similar projects undertaken with support from Natural England and its partners. Given it’s limited size, Tony’s site is offering immediate benefits that are exceptional.”.

In addition to its strategic location, breeding success at this new site can be attributed to a recipe brought together by Dr. Martin with enthusiasm and skill. The quality of grassland habitat grazed by rare breed British White cattle, sparsely vegetated islands surrounded by shallow waters and protection from predation together offer ideal nesting for a range of waders and duck. Damp soil and extensive areas of water just inches deep, offer both adult and young waders easy access to a ready supply of both aquatic and soil invertebrates, their preferred food items. These qualities contribute to make the site one of the best in Cambridgeshire for breeding avocet and little ringed plover.

From autumn through to late winter the site is also host to a spectacular array of wintering birds. Up to 1500 Bewick’s and whooper swans, arriving from Iceland and northern Russia, descend upon the site to feed, wash and sleep during the winter months.

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

2. Environmental Stewardship is composed of three tiers:

• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management;
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
• Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

3. Environmental Stewardship builds on the very best practice already evident in British farming. In particular, it takes forward Defra's two flagship agri-environment schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship. The primary objectives of the new scheme are to:

• Conserve wildlife (biodiversity);
• Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character;
• Protect the historic environment and natural resources;
• Promote public access and understanding of the countryside and Natural resource protection.

For more information see: www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm

4. Environmental Stewardship (ES) is one of the Schemes, which operate under the England Rural Development Programme ERDP. The scheme replaced the Countryside Stewardship, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Organic Farming Schemes, which are now closed to new applicants.

5. For more information please contact the Natural England press office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk

5. Regional media contacts: contact Linzee Kottman 01223 533421/07824475359 or Andrew Smith 01223 533474 / 07920138194

6. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.