YOU DID IT!

On 24th December 2013 Staffordshire Wildlife Trust became the proud owners of Tucklesholme Quarry.  Over the next few years we will transform this working quarry into a wonderful new nature reserve.

THANK YOU TO EVERONE WHO DONATED AND MADE THIS POSSIBLE

 

 

It is over 100 years since breeding bitterns were last recorded in Staffordshire.  Help Staffordshire Wildlife Trust change history and bring breeding bitterns back to Staffordshire.

What is a bittern?  The bittern (Botaurus stellaris) is one of the UK’s rarest birds.  Bitterns are members of the heron family and are best known for the characteristic “boom” noise that the male of the species makes from late January to mark its territory.

How rare are bitterns?  Bitterns were declared extinct in England around 1885.  In recent years great efforts by wildlife organisations has enabled a small breeding population to become re-established in Suffolk, Norfolk and Lancashire, but numbers remain critically low at just 75 pairs.   

Why are bitterns so rare?  Bitterns live and breed in large reedbeds.  In the 1800’s most of the UK’s reedbeds were drained to create farmland and numbers plummeted.  Staffordshire simply does not have the reedbeds that these secretive birds need.

How will Staffordshire Wildlife Trust bring back breeding bitterns to Staffordshire?  Our plan is to create the largest reedbed in the Trent valley through the restoration of gravel workings at Tucklesholme quarry near Burton upon Trent.

Will you really be able to bring breeding bitterns back to Staffordshire?  We think this is possible.  At Tucklesholme we will create the perfect habitat for bitterns to breed.  We also plan to create channels between the river and the lake to allow fish and other wildlife to move freely so conditions couldn’t be better.  In recent years there have been a handful of bittern sightings in Staffordshire so we know the birds spend time in the county already.

How can I help?  Please donate to our appeal.  We need to raise £25,000 from our supporters through this appeal to enable us to buy Tucklesholme Quarry and create perfect habitat for bittern.

Everybody who donates £25 or more will be invited to visit Tucklesholme in Spring 2014.