Bittern ‘boom’ at Tarmac quarry
Nosterfield Quarry reed beds continue to attract one of the UK’s rarest and most secretive birds
ONE of the UK’s rarest and most secretive bird species has successfully established itself in the reed beds at Tarmac’s Nosterfield quarry, in North Yorkshire.
The bittern – which is on both the RSPB’s and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) ‘Red List’ of most endangered species – has been at Nosterfield since 2009.
The reed beds at the quarry’s Flasks Lake provide the perfect environment for the bird, known for the characteristic low ‘booming’ call made by male bittern. The quarry’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) – which includes the extensive reed bed area – played a fundamental part in encouraging this species to the area by creating the right conditions and habitat. BAPs are not new to Tarmac, as the company was the first in the UK to have these plans in place at all its active quarries.
Tarmac’s unit manager at Nosterfield Quarry, Lee Mitchell, said: ‘We were absolutely delighted when there were confirmed sightings of two more bittern at Nosterfield in November 2010. Support from organizations and individuals such as David Greaves, has been invaluable in the success of nature conservation at the quarry, which has successfully encouraged the bitterns to our quarry. We hope to see more of these special birds over the coming years.’
David Greaves, a volunteer observer who has been monitoring the bittern on behalf of the RSPB since the birds first arrived in 2009, added: ‘It is very significant indeed to have bittern in this area – particularly as the site is so far inland. The reed beds at Nosterfield were planted with the specific objective of attracting this species, and this plan has worked.’
ONE of the UK’s rarest and most secretive bird species has successfully established itself in the reed beds at Tarmac’s Nosterfield quarry, in North Yorkshire.
The bittern – which is on both the RSPB’s and the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) ‘Red List’ of most endangered species – has been at Nosterfield since 2009.
The reed beds at the quarry’s Flasks Lake provide the perfect environment for the bird, known for the characteristic low ‘booming’ call made by male bittern. The quarry’s Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) – which includes the extensive reed bed area – played a fundamental part in encouraging this species to the area by creating the right conditions and habitat. BAPs are not new to Tarmac, as the company was the first in the UK to have these plans in place at all its active quarries.
Tarmac’s unit manager at Nosterfield Quarry, Lee Mitchell, said: ‘We were absolutely delighted when there were confirmed sightings of two more bittern at Nosterfield in November 2010. Support from organizations and individuals such as David Greaves, has been invaluable in the success of nature conservation at the quarry, which has successfully encouraged the bitterns to our quarry. We hope to see more of these special birds over the coming years.’
David Greaves, a volunteer observer who has been monitoring the bittern on behalf of the RSPB since the birds first arrived in 2009, added: ‘It is very significant indeed to have bittern in this area – particularly as the site is so far inland. The reed beds at Nosterfield were planted with the specific objective of attracting this species, and this plan has worked.’
