Local conservation group, the Langdyke Countryside Trust, and Tarmac Limited, have announced that they will be working together to complete the creation and manage a large new wetland nature reserve between Etton and Maxey.
The fifty acre reserve lies to the west of the Etton-Maxey Road and is the site of a former gravel extraction quarry. Over the next few years it will be converted into a mosaic of open water, reed-bed, wet woodland and grassland with public access by permit along a nature trail with hides.
The restoration of the land is part of Tarmac’s original planning consent with Peterborough City Council. Tarmac has already created a network of small reed beds and pools with thousands of trees planted to create the wet woodland areas. And the site is already an exciting home to breeding birds and insects with many wildflowers colonising its grassy banks. Last year birdwatchers from all over the region came to watch a Buff Breasted Sandpiper, a rare American wading bird and to keep an eye on a breeding pair of avocet, which successfully raised four young – the first record in Peterborough for many years. In addition, the reserve is home to many species of dragonfly and other insects.
Tarmac has now joined forces with the Langdyke Countryside Trust to complete the restoration of the site and to take forward its on-going management. This will include installing new hides and fencing the area so it can be grazed by sheep and cattle. Public access to the site will be by a permit scheme administered by the Trust. For details of the permit scheme please email richard@athene-communications.co.uk
Richard Keymer, Chair of the Langdyke Countryside Trust told the Tribune, “This is a fabulous site and we are delighted to be working with Tarmac to ensure that it is developed and managed in the best interests of nature, but also in a way that means that local people can enjoy it too. It is not only a great place to watch and marvel at nature, but also a lovely tranquil place to walk and appreciate our natural heritage. We plan to hold a number of events on the site to help people learn about what they can see on the reserve as well as work parties and surveys.”
Polly Baines from Tarmac said, “Managing biodiversity is an important part of what we do at Tarmac and forms part of our everyday operations. We’re really pleased to be working with the Langdyke Countryside Trust and look forward to developing the site further.”
