5 June 2007

NEW PATHS AND NEW WILDLIFE AT RSPB HEADQUARTERS

After just two years of restoration at The Lodge nature reserve, the first visitor trails through the new heath are open, and the first heathland birds have returned to use the site after an absence of more than a decade.

New heathland has been planted on an area that used to be covered with exotic conifers. These conifers were poor for wildlife, and were felled over the last two winters following discussions with local people and permission from the Forestry Commission.

And, way ahead of schedule, heathland birds have already begun to use the site.
“We saw and heard our first woodlark, early on this spring,” said Peter Bradley, the RSPB’s Site Manager at The Lodge. “The male bird was at the top of a dead pine, singing its heart out. It was so exciting to find one so soon – perhaps the first woodlark on this area of former heathland for generations.”

Just a few weeks later, a nightjar was seen and heard ‘churring’ - the first at the reserve for 12 years. ‘Churring’ is the grasshopper-like reeling sound made by a nightjar while it is looking for a mate.

The land at Sandy was heathland for over 5,000 years, before it was first planted with conifers early in the 19th century. Periods of felling may have allowed some heathland to return briefly, the last time being in the mid 1960s. In the future, though, the site will remain a mixture of open heathland and native woodland, which the RSPB will manage with the help of its ancient sheep breeds.

Visitors can now see this new part of The Lodge reserve, by following the recently re-opened path from Sandy to the Gatehouse Shop, next to the B1042 Sandy to Potton Road.

It climbs through thinned woodland, past an ancient quarry, out onto the open, cleared ground where young heather plants should soon appear. It is open to cyclists as well as walkers, and there is no entry charge except for a car park fee.

Peter Bradley continued, “The nature reserve is already beginning to look more natural, following the felling. It will be some years before true heathland develops, but it is wonderful that the wildlife has already begun to return. What’s even better is that, through opening these footpaths, we can share this wonderful wildlife with local people.”

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Photographs of woodlark and nightjar are available from Pat Knibb at the RSPB on 01603 660066, or by emailing patricia.knibb@rspb.org.uk.

For further information about The Lodge, please contact Peter Bradley, RSPB Lodge nature reserve site manager, on 01767 693300 or mobile 07734 985 959.

The RSPB is the UK charity working to secure a healthy environment for birds and wildlife, helping to