Improving habitat for waterbirds: the Dafen Scrapes Project at Llanelli
At Llanelli we have recently enhanced the Dafen Scrapes area of the reserve.
By creating new islands, scrapes and pools we have improved the habitat to suit the needs of waterbirds such as lapwing. The new landscape is hoped to attract oystercatcher and avocet that don't currently breed here, as well as benefiting other species such as water vole. New floating islands and nesting boxes will encourage many more birds, such as shelduck, to breed. The internationally-important numbers of migratory waterbirds that overwinter at Llanelli will have better areas for feeding and roosting.
Importantly, located just behind the British Steel Hide, the improved Dafen Scrapes will help bring even more wildlife closer to visitors.
This project was awarded funding from Biffa Award, a multi-million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to communities and environmental projects across the UK, as part of the Landfill Communities Fund.
Gillian French, Head of Grants, Biffa Award said: “It’s fantastic to be able to support projects that are helping wildlife make a comeback. The new scrapes and pools will provide vital habitat to some very vulnerable species. We can’t wait to see the reserve once the work is finished.”
The Landfill Communities Fund (LCF) is an innovative tax credit scheme which 'offsets' some of the negative impacts of living in the vicinity of a landfill site for affected communities. WWT have had many projects funded through this scheme, including: The Great Crane Project, Slimbridge Discovery Hide and the new Castle Espie Shingle Ridge.
Reserve Manager, Brian Briggs, at Llanelli talks about the Dafen Scrapes in this short video:
