Walkers celebrate World Wetlands Day
Walkers were out celebrating World Wetlands Day in the Broads, Britain’s largest protected wetland, yesterday (Thursday 2 February).
The Broads Authority guided walks on the fragile Bure Marshes around Woodbastwick and the RSPB reserve around Cantley were to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the international wetlands convention in the Iranian city of Ramsar, known as the Ramsar Convention. It was set up initially to preserve wetlands for birds but in 1997 was extended to promote the wise use of wetlands.
The Bure Marshes, an international Ramsar site, a National Nature Reserve and an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest), which is normally closed to the public because of its fragile nature, was opened specially to commemorate the occasion. The popular free event which was heavily oversubscribed was led by Broads Authority Countryside Ranger Elaina Slark and English Nature Warden Will West. Walkers explored turf ponds and dykes and saw raptors, marsh harriers and wintering bitterns. In the summer the area is home to water soldiers in the dykes, the Norfolk hawker dragonfly and swallowtail butterfly, which are special to the Broads.
“The walk has become very popular over the three years we have been doing it and now we are unfortunately having to turn people away,” said Elaina.
In the morning walkers strolled around the Ramsar RSPB site at Cantley, watching large flocks of widgeon, snipe and lapwing, and also hares, while hearing bearded tits in the reeds.
“It was very atmospheric, real Broads weather,” said Broads Authority Countryside Ranger, Lee Cozens. “We had a couple from New Zealand on their first visit to the Broads. It was a great way to celebrate our special wetland.”
02/02/2006
