Fenland farmer wins Marsh award for wetlands
Fenland farmer Andrew Green has won the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust’s 2017 Marsh Award for Wetland Creation.
Over 20 years Mr Green has transformed 250 acres at Kingfishers Bridge near Wicken, Cambridgeshire from intensively farmed fields into meadows, reed beds and a lake.
Kingfishers Bridge now attracts more than 200 different bird species, 81 of which have bred there. A particular breeding success was the bittern, a reclusive heron that last bred successfully in Cambridgeshire in 1936.
Kingfishers Bridge regularly hosts school and university groups to Kingfishers Bridge, where they can see good conservation practice.
Presenting the award, WWT Chief Executive Martin Spray said:
“Andrew has created an extraordinary wetland, enjoyed by both people and wildlife. He had a clear vision for Kingfishers Bridge from the outset, which he has realised very successfully over the last 20 years. This Marsh Award is well deserved.”
Accepting the award at WWT’s Annual General Meeting, Mr Green said:
“I’m grateful for the encouragement that I’ve received. Before starting Kingfishers Bridge, Peter and Dafila Scott visited me and gave me some sound advice which has served us well over the years. Today I thank the Marsh Christian Trust and WWT for their further encouragement.
“We are always learning and we will continue to improve Kingfishers Bridge and welcome everyone who would like to come and visit.”
Andrew Green and Martin Spray
