Build it and they will come!
With grey heron numbers starting to increase along the river and here on site, our reserve team is busy working on Wader Lake this week in the last available window before these magnificent birds begin to settle for the season ahead.
Their plan is to improve and bolster the existing shingle islands for the benefit of the breeding birds they attract each spring, as well as creating a new shingle shore on the north side of the lake.
Reserve manager John Gowland said: “The team is planning to add 80 tonnes of gravel onto the shingle islands this week to create the ideal substrate for returning avocet, common tern and little-ringed plover, which breed at WWT Washington each spring.
“We only have a small window of time in which to achieve this, as grey heron numbers are already starting to build on site and along the river. At their peak, they form one of the best nesting colonies in the UK and it’s vital that we don’t risk disturbing them during this crucial period.
“As well as topping up the islands, we are going to create a shingle beach, which we’re hoping will attract species such as ringed plovers to stay and breed, as well as providing a safe roosting and loafing area for many other species of birds.
“Disturbance on the lake and the lowering of water levels will be unavoidable for this coming week but will have huge benefits further down the line and we thank all our visitors for their understanding as we get stuck into our task.”
We'll be joining the reserve team this Thursday on Facebook Live to see first hand the work they do and to talk about how important it is for bringing wildlife to WWT Washington. Join us at 2pm and feel free to ask questions as we go!
