Fen harvester creates more Broads wetland for wildlife
The Broads Authority’s fen harvester --- the only one in the UK--- has travelled south to help spread the rich and unique wildlife found in the Norfolk fens to the Suffolk Broads.
The harvester, which can work in wet peaty soil where no other machine can go, has recreated a slice of peat fen the size of a football pitch at Oulton Marshes – but it will eventually support many more species than spectators in a football stadium! It will eventually be managed on a day to day basis by a commercial grazier producing local beef.
The restoration of the fen, owned by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, from an area of scrub to an open landscape was the Broads Authority’s contribution to the Suffolk Broads Living Landscape Partnership which is connecting reserves and improving habitats.
Already a large number of natural wetland species has returned and it is hoped to see orchids next year. All these plants will in turn attract a wide diversity of wetland wildlife.
Andrea Kelly, Head of Conservation at the Broads Authority, said: “We are delighted to have been able to restore this site as a working wetland and demonstrate that people can make a living by managing these rich wildlife areas for both nature and people. The fen is on the doorstep of Lowestoft from where a lot of people will want to come and admire this classic landscape for many years to come.”
Dorothy Casey, Suffolk Wildlife Trust Reserves Manager said: “We were absolutely delighted with the work achieved by the fen harvester at Oulton Marshes. Significant areas of rank fen and reed dominated areas were cut, some for the first time in many years. We are now confident that with follow up grazing next year large areas of species rich fen will be restored.”
The prototype fen harvester, which was commissioned by the Broads Authority 13 years ago, can negotiate marshy terrain without sinking into the soft surface because it has little ground pressure. The harvested material is chopped into tiny pieces and blown down a high-pressure air-filled pipeline to remove it from the site which avoids repeated journeys over fragile habitat. It is in full time employment cutting fen in the Northern Broads.
29/11/10
