Ham Wall: Bringing the Bittern back to Somerset.

An illustrated talk by Steve Hughes, Warden at Ham Wall Reserve.

Tuesday 8^th September

This was an authoritative and very interesting talk by a man intimately concerned with RSPB Ham Wall reserve on a daily basis, and who has personally witnessed it’s development from old peat diggings to a valuable mixed wetland habitat for birds and wildlife.

Ham Wall is now one of the largest reedbed establishment sites in the country, many such natural habitats having been lost due to adverse agricultural practice. 50% of the reserve was planted with 675,000 individual seedlings by volunteers, and the area is now a rich patchwork of reedbed, wet scrub and open water, with peripheral grassland and woodland. Water levels are controlled by sluices and wind pumps, and the reserve has become an important habitat for many vulnerable wetland animals and plants as well as birds. These include otters and good numbers of water voles, grass snakes, great crested newts and marsh frogs, and abundant dragonflies and butterflies in summer. Kingfishers and garganeys are present: gadwalls, shovelers, teal and widgeon are winter visitors, and two of the three rare birds which the RSPB most hoped to attract – the bittern and the bearded tit - have arrived and appear to be thriving. Steve is still hopeful that marsh harriers will appear in significant numbers before long. Cranes are likely to be introduced to the reserve in Autumn next year.

Steve explained the problems and the solutions to managing 235 hectares of wetland. To combat encroachment by scrub, a succession of different breeds of cattle - including water buffalo – were trialled to discover which would best graze the wetlands. Efficient machinery (that would not sink into the mud) for cutting reeds was developed, and a ‘green’ composting process for the cut reeds was pioneered. After a 12week process in large plastic pods, nutritious garden compost is now produced, and sold commercially.

Visitor access has been another concern, and board walks have been created for disabled visitors. 50 volunteers help manage the site, taking on many different tasks.

Steve then gave us the really good news from Ham Wall: this year breeding birds included bearded tits, 2 pairs of Barn Owls, and huge increases in warblers, especially reed warblers, sedge warblers, and at least 100 pairs Cetti’s. Bitterns were heard booming in 2003,04, and 05, and in 2008 two females bred successfully, the males booming for 14 weeks. And now, in 2009, 3 booming males have been present, and there have been 6 nests at Ham Wall and one at Shapwick.

Steve emphasised just how important Ham Wall is for bitterns: there are only 82 breeding nationally, and the majority of these are nesting near the East coast on reserves which are threatened with extinction due to climate change. Thus inland wetland reserves will be ever more essential to these wonderful birds.

Steve illustrated his talk with superb pictures of the reserve, the animals, wildlife and birds – and especially the bitterns. He encouraged us to visit in late February or early March to hear the bitterns booming – the best time being the hour before dawn! but also at dusk – and in mid-May to July to watch the females’ feeding flights which are made across the reserve every 15 minutes or so.

Carole Lewis