| Background and site description |
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This is a 101 hectare site in the River Ouse valley which is made up of a complex of lakes ranging in size from one to 16 hectares. The lakes support a wide range of wetland bird species. An active sand and gravel quarry site during the 1960s, extraction ceased in 1998.
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| Initiative |
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The quarry was subject to extensive restoration to agricultural and recreational uses with the majority given over to nature conservation. Of particular interest are the reedbeds and marginal aquatic habitats. The site is run by a Management Group comprising representatives of Huntingdon District Council Countryside Section, Environment Agency, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire Wildlife Trust, and English Nature. Initiatives of particular biodiversity interest include habitat creation to encourage breeding of the Scarce Chaser Dragonfly. Although having no formal designation, the site is of potential SSSI standard due to its wetland and wildfowl interest, and to its areas of lake margins where management of osier beds is undertaken.
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| Costs |
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- The site was subject to progressive restoration, and management costs vary depending on flooding.
- Osier management costs up to £5,000pa.
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| Benefits |
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- Good working relationship with local authority and conservation agencies.
- Redland uses the site to demonstrate that the mineral extraction industry can be a valuable force for habitat creation.
- Student groups are shown around the site and given promotional material.
- The site demonstrates how subtleties of landform and lake edge design included within restoration schemes can enhance biodiversity.
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| Contribution to biodiversity |
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- The Scarce Chaser Dragonfly is identified as a Long List UK Biodiversity Species.
- A number of waterfowl species present are also on the UK BAP Long List.
- Interest in the site was developed throughout the restoration phases, demonstrating that the promotion of biodiversity and nature conservation objectives in general can be on-going, ensuring that a valuable resource is in existence once operations cease.
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| Contact |
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Environment Agency
Julia Stansfield
Suffolk BAP Regional Representative
Environment Agency
Cobham Road
Ipswich
Suffolk IP3 9JD
julia.stansfield@environment-agency.gov.uk
01473 706057
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