Building bird's eye views of rare Wokingham bitterns
Wokingham residents who’ve been bitten by the bird-watching bug can take to the lake without causing a stir - now that Dinton Pastures, one of the best sites in the country for viewing rare Bitterns, has a state-of-the-art new bird hide overlooking Lavell’s Lake.
Wokingham Borough Council’s countryside service has benefited from a grant scheme set up by DeFRA called the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which is helping to improve the conservation value, recreational activities and access at Dinton Pastures over a 10-year period.
Over the last few years the scheme has seen the construction of 400 metres of reed beds to encourage the nationally rare Bitterns. This has been so successful that the site is now one of the best sites in the country to see the birds.
Because of the huge increase in visiting bird watchers, the existing 20-year-old bird hide was no longer enough to accommodate everyone and was beginning to experience long queues. But this year the Wokingham council secured a further £10,500 to construct a new bird hide.
“The new bird hide can now cater for up to 30 bird watchers and gives a panoramic view of the reed beds, the open water and the bird feeders,” says countryside ranger Simon Bartlam. “So there is always something for bird watchers to see.”
Access for disabled people has also been catered for with three wheelchair bays inside the hide, a ramped access point, 350 metres of tarmac footpath, a new bridge and disabled car parking bays nearby.
The volunteer group Friends of Lavell’s Lake are contributing significantly to the practical management of the site, and have also contributed over £5,000 to special projects such as the tarmac footpath and bird hide.
Simon said: “The countryside service would like to thank the Friends of Lavell’s Lake for their support and we look forward to working with them further. Everyone is very excited about the new hide.”
Chairman of the Friends of Lavell’s Lake Fraser Cottington said:
“FOLL is thrilled with the new hide, as are all the visitors who have seen it so far. Our old hide served us well for years, but the site’s importance and the regularity of Bitterns wintering here now has led to a big increase in visitors - and all too often big queues outside the old hide. Queues will be a thing of the past now, as we can accommodate so many more people, meaning that when the Bitterns arrive, no-one should miss it.
“We even have seated views over the feeding area - and we welcome donations to keep the feeding going throughout the winter.”
Executive member for the Wokingham Environment Simon Weeks said: “We are very lucky in the Wokingham borough that we have such diversity of wildlife. I am glad to see that with help from DeFRA and the Friends of Lavell’s Lake, we are able to enhance one of our most prized wildlife sites for its many visitors. This will help to encourage even more people to make the most of our natural heritage and help to preserve it.”
Wokingham Borough Council’s countryside service has benefited from a grant scheme set up by DeFRA called the Countryside Stewardship Scheme, which is helping to improve the conservation value, recreational activities and access at Dinton Pastures over a 10-year period.
Over the last few years the scheme has seen the construction of 400 metres of reed beds to encourage the nationally rare Bitterns. This has been so successful that the site is now one of the best sites in the country to see the birds.
Because of the huge increase in visiting bird watchers, the existing 20-year-old bird hide was no longer enough to accommodate everyone and was beginning to experience long queues. But this year the Wokingham council secured a further £10,500 to construct a new bird hide.
“The new bird hide can now cater for up to 30 bird watchers and gives a panoramic view of the reed beds, the open water and the bird feeders,” says countryside ranger Simon Bartlam. “So there is always something for bird watchers to see.”
Access for disabled people has also been catered for with three wheelchair bays inside the hide, a ramped access point, 350 metres of tarmac footpath, a new bridge and disabled car parking bays nearby.
The volunteer group Friends of Lavell’s Lake are contributing significantly to the practical management of the site, and have also contributed over £5,000 to special projects such as the tarmac footpath and bird hide.
Simon said: “The countryside service would like to thank the Friends of Lavell’s Lake for their support and we look forward to working with them further. Everyone is very excited about the new hide.”
Chairman of the Friends of Lavell’s Lake Fraser Cottington said:
“FOLL is thrilled with the new hide, as are all the visitors who have seen it so far. Our old hide served us well for years, but the site’s importance and the regularity of Bitterns wintering here now has led to a big increase in visitors - and all too often big queues outside the old hide. Queues will be a thing of the past now, as we can accommodate so many more people, meaning that when the Bitterns arrive, no-one should miss it.
“We even have seated views over the feeding area - and we welcome donations to keep the feeding going throughout the winter.”
Executive member for the Wokingham Environment Simon Weeks said: “We are very lucky in the Wokingham borough that we have such diversity of wildlife. I am glad to see that with help from DeFRA and the Friends of Lavell’s Lake, we are able to enhance one of our most prized wildlife sites for its many visitors. This will help to encourage even more people to make the most of our natural heritage and help to preserve it.”
Wokingham Borough Council
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