Update on new raised bog. (1 Viewer)

[trw]

I've posted a few good news stories about new habitats that have been created round here in South Cumbria.
One of them, the raised bog created by Natural England, was previously a wooded area[ mainly pines, I seem to recall] and wasn't even on my radar for a birdwatching location.
A couple of years ago they chopped down the trees in the middle leaving a band of trees round the edges and some still standing in the middle.
Dams and pools were created to make it into a raised bog.
Within two years it's become a place well worth visiting, especially in Spring when migrants arrive.
Yesterday a Cuckoo was back again. A Tree Pipit was displaying, a male Stonechat was perched on a tree, a couple of Redpoll flew over and a GS Woodpecker and Common Kestrel was heard.
It's popular with Common Whitethroat and Reed Bunting, there's enough suitable habitat to attract them.
There must have been double figures Willow Warbler and a Blackcap was heard too.
It also attracts some low flying hirundines now.
Last year a Woodcock was seen.
Previously, most of these species weren't recorded here. It's the only new location where I've recorded a Cuckoo round here. We do quite well for them
in South Cumbria but they're generally in well established places.

 

[kb57]

Strictly speaking this will be a 'restored' rather than 'created' bog, as raised bogs can't be created on any meaningful human timescale (as it is dependent on the growth and partial decomposition of Sphagnum and other peat forming species, it grows at the rate of a few mm per year).

It's unfortunately quite common to find that raised bogs have been planted up with conifers in the past, which will have dried out the surface peat so that it is no longer 'active' - the peat will still be there though, so by felling the trees and raising the water table it can begin to function like an active bog again, hopefully with Sphagnum and other species colonising and spreading.

It's good to hear they're still doing this work, given the cutbacks they've suffered in recent years. And even better to know it's already attracting wildlife back.

 

[trw]

Strictly speaking this will be a 'restored' rather than 'created' bog, as raised bogs can't be created on any meaningful human timescale (as it is dependent on the growth and partial decomposition of Sphagnum and other peat forming species, it grows at the rate of a few mm per year).

It's unfortunately quite common to find that raised bogs have been planted up with conifers in the past, which will have dried out the surface peat so that it is no longer 'active' - the peat will still be there though, so by felling the trees and raising the water table it can begin to function like an active bog again, hopefully with Sphagnum and other species colonising and spreading.

It's good to hear they're still doing this work, given the cutbacks they've suffered in recent years. And even better to know it's already attracting wildlife back.

Good news indeed.
We've got three more restored bogs within a radius of 5 miles from here too.
They were restored by the Cumbria Wildlife Trust and have regulary attracted breeding Ospreys nesting on the isolated trees left in the middle.
Cetti Warblers were found at one of the reserves last year, last year, a rarity round here and only the fourth record for Cumbria.
Apart from that other birds recorded include Cuckoo, Sedge, Warbler, Reed Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Tree Pipit, Common Snipe, Stonechat, Marsh Harrier and Hen Harrier[ in Winter].
Remarkable, considering, only a few years ago they were dominated by pine trees and these sort of birds weren't commonly recorded.
Cumbria Wildlife Trust do a marvelous job round here so if anyone lives in the area or visits the Lakes, how about joining them?- it's easy to join online and doesn't cost a lot.