Because the site’s water levels had been drained down following decommissioning by Thames Water, the base of the reservoir basins had undergone rapid colonisation by water plants. A considerable plant resource existed on site, which could be utilised in the final restoration, and so a programme of wetland plant retrieval was undertaken. This involved creating a wetland plant holding area, or nursery, where water levels are carefully regulated. The nursery has proved to be excellent habitat in its own right with breeding reed & sedge warblers. Common reed dominated the plant retrieval, but rush, sedge and various other wetland plant species were also retrieved. The company’s staff also designed and built their own digger bucket to lift the plants like floor tiles.

Elsewhere, willow colonisation caused a particular problem. The longer it was left in advance of extraction, the greater the clearance expense would be. Surveys revealed that this was limiting the ecological value of the site, with declining bird nesting as it developed from scrub into semi mature stands. The opportunity was taken to remove the willow by flailing it, and then re-flooding the areas concerned. Very shallow water levels have led to counts of 27+ snipe being spotted off the areas cleared of willow, as well as innumerable other wader species including sandpiper, redshank, lapwing, and last autumn the arrival of avocet on site.

Other cleared areas have been flooded to deeper levels for waterfowl. The removal of the willow has allowed the development of marginal aquatic plants including reed, reedmace and sedge. This is generating excellent numbers of wintering waterfowl, with water levels being targeted to meet the needs of the two SPA species, gadwall and shoveler.

The site is subject to the national wetland bird survey counts (WeBS). As part of the ongoing monitoring of the site these counts have been increased from a monthly to weekly basis, working closely with local birdwatchers.

Water levels and water level control are critical in any wetland scheme, and the company has been undertaking extensive works and trials to ensure that it can control the water levels as desired, once the site is restored. This has utilised much of the original Victorian reservoir pipework, but also the installation of new works, a significant engineering task in itself. Using areas yet to be worked as a test bed to ensure the system works effectively has also enabled habitat to be manipulated in association with the willow clearance in advance of extraction.

The relationship between mineral sites and sand martin is critical. A recent survey undertaken by the County Council in association with the Surrey Bird Club revealed just how important this is. Sand martin colonies can be a problem to mineral operators, interrupting activity by utilising the quarry’s operational sand faces. To avoid this at Molesey, faces were cut specifically for sand martin, with the result that in 2001 the site held Surrey’s largest sand martin colony, with no disruption to extraction activities.

A local liaison committee exists for the site, and visits for local residents and interest groups such as RSPB and Wildlife Trust have been organised.

In 2002 the County Council gave Island Barn Aggregates a restoration and enhancement Award in recognition of the work that has been achieved to date. Molesey remains a ‘flagship’ example of the contribution the minerals industry is making to improve Surrey’s biodiversity.