Floating reedbeds at Cosmeston Country Park
With grant aid from the Environment Agency the reedbeds at
Cosmeston Lakes have been extended.
The project involved the positioning of
floating 2 x 2m rafts already planted with reeds out into the east
lake. The NHS Volunteer group led by John Bennett helped
Cosmeston’s Senior Ranger Steve Pickering and Ranger Aaron Jones
complete the project.
The extension of the reedbed will help to enhance this valuable
habitat for species such as water rail, reed warbler, sedge warbler
and reed bunting. This project will also help to ensure the
continued over wintering return of the most threatened species, the
bittern.
The bittern is an elusive wetland bird that is more often heard
than seen. During the breeding season, male bitterns inflate a
specially adapted throat to act as a resonance chamber and make a
deep BOOMING noise.