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Heathland blooms in a perfect sea of heather at reserve
Volunteers have returned a wildlife charity’s headquarters into a purple wave of heather.
After seven years of habitat work to restore the pine plantation at the RSPB in Sandy to scarce heathland, everyone’s efforts are paying off.
Andy Schofield, reserve warden at The Lodge said: “Now the heather is really starting to get established it is becoming a spectacle to behold as a good part of the reserve turns from green to a vibrant profusion of purple and lilac.”
The Lodge reserve is home to more than 4,000 species of bird, flower and insect. It is the RSPB’s third richest site in terms of biodiversity.
As a result of the new heathland several very scarce birds have been attracted to the reserve.
At least three nightjars stopped off on their way to and from their UK breeding grounds, a pair of ravens raised a family earlier this year and tree pipits have been spotted on the heath. The linnet also bread there this summer as has a hobby.
Andy added: “Over the forthcoming years, with careful management, the heathland will develop into the largest patch of lowland heathland within Bedfordshire and the surrounding counties, of which the Greensand Ridge was once famous for.”
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Weather for Biggleswade
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
