Maer Lake

The partnership approach to managing wetland wildlife

This reserve is owned and managed jointly by the Trust and the Cornwall Bird Watching and Preservation Society (CBWPS). It supports wet grassland and open water which are of great importance for wintering and passage birds, especially waders such as snipe, curlew, wigeon and teal. The water level and water flow at Maer Lake are managed to ensure that the ideal proportions of open water, plant cover and muddy patches are maintained. Management carried out to achieve this balance includes rotational ditch clearance, sluice-gate operation, creation of vegetation-free areas (scrapes) and grazing with horses. As a result, Maer Lake is a wonderful site not only for bird-watching but also for dragonflies, damselflies and wetland plants.

Redlake Cottage Meadows

Restoring the water balance by removing thirsty trees

The northern section of this important reserve supports wet heath and mire habitats. Until recently, these important habitats were being damaged due to the invasion of birch, willow and gorse scrub. Trees and shrubs draw up water from the wetland habitat and cause it to dry out. This results in the loss of many important characteristic wetland plants, like the beautiful spongy cushions of bog mosses ( Sphagnum species). Targeted areas of the invasive tree and shrub species have been removed and a boundary fence and gates have been installed. This will prevent further drying out of the reserve and also enable us to introduce grazing animals to nibble at any excess vegetation growth.

Put ponds in their place

I'm sure that no one would doubt the appeal and value of a wildlife pond. From the frenzy of frog and toad activity in spring to the flitting of iridescent dragonflies in the summer sun, ponds are a delight both to humans and to a wide variety of wildlife throughout the seasons. However, the Trust urges you to put ponds in their place and to think before getting out the spades and shovels to dig a new pond.

Digging to create a new pond undoubtedly results in the destruction of the previously existing patch of habitat. Unfortunately, through the (probably very well-meaning) creation of wildlife ponds, valuable wetland habitat is destroyed each year. This is probably because wetland areas are often identified as good areas for pond creation as they are already "a bit wet".

Wetlands - including fens, reedbeds, wet woodlands and even the small patches of rushy habitat in the corner of a field - are of great importance for Cornwall's wealth of wildlife or biodiversity. The Cornwall Biodiversity Audit produced in 1997 identified wetlands as one of the 11 habitats to be considered for immediate action to protect and enhance Cornwall's biodiversity.

So, please don't take away wonderfully natural bits of wetland wildlife habitat to create what are, in effect, less natural wildlife ponds. Please don't hesitate to contact the Trust if you require any advice on wildlife pond location and creation.

Victoria Scott