Rare birds already benefiting from wetland restoration in Llanelli
Endangered bitterns and short eared owls are already benefitting from work finished this week by the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) to restore 1.6km of shoreline and eight islands at the Llanelli Wetland Centre.
The work, which is also expected to help one of Wales’ biggest water vole colonies as well as other wetland wildlife, has been made possible by a £50,000 grant from The Veolia Environmental Trust, awarded through the Landfill Communities Fund, and the kind support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery and other generous supporters.
The restoration involved cutting back willows and shrubs that had begun to shade the banks where the water voles and other wildlife make their homes. Clearing trees and shrubs opens up the banks and allows vegetation to grow along the margins and the banks, which in turn provide food and cover for the voles. It also removes vantage points for birds of prey where they might pick off vulnerable animals.
Dr Brian Briggs, Senior Reserve Warden at Llanelli Wetland Centre explained:“It has been wonderful to see short-eared owls here for the first time in many years, and to see the elusive bitterns skulking in the margins. The work will also help water voles and a wide range of other wetland wildlife. I’m looking forward to The Millennium Wetlands becoming even more of a hotspot for wildlife and giving more people a chance to see these wonderful creatures”.
“We hope the newly cleared islands will attract wading birds like lapwing and redshank to breed. These birds need our help and they prefer treeless habitats to allow them better views and to make it harder for their predators to spot their nests from nearby perches.”
The Executive Director of The Veolia Environmental Trust, Paul Taylor, commented:
“It is great to hear that this important project is complete. The work will have multiple benefits for the reserve, the birds that call it home and the visitors that enjoy them. I look forward to hearing about the wetlands’ continued success.”
Other species of conservation concern that should benefit from the project include Little Ringed Plover and Llanelli’s large and diverse dragonfly and damselfly population (including the nationally scarce small red-eyed damselfly and blue-tailed damselfly), as well as a range of aquatic plants including frogbit.
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery added:
“We are delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery are able to continue to support Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. The restoration of the shoreline and eight islands will make such a difference to local wildlife.”
