A boost for Newton Abbot wildlife

A major rewiring job through Jetty Marsh Nature Reserve has provided an opportunity to give wildlife a welcome boost with the reinstatement of a former reedbed – a natural habitat for creatures including Harvest mice, otters and various species of birds.

The nature reserve in Newton Abbot has re-established a long dried-up reedbed after the local authority secured £500 of funding from Western Power Distribution’s Community Support Scheme as part of its plans for overhead power lines to be re-routed underneath the reserve. 

Ranger Leo Henley-Lock arranged the reedbed project, with the Environment Agency contributing an additional £1000 to support it and Teignbridge Council putting £550 to the scheme. The reedbed will help provide a habitat for species specifically identified in county-wide plans to support biodiversity.

The work to re-route overhead power lines needs to be completed by Western Power Distribution soon, and will mean a short closure of the site from Monday, September 13 for approximately two weeks.  

Rangers were able to secure funding in advance for the reedbed project, which has seen lower ground levels excavated in one portion of the reserve. Now a reedbed, which had previously silted-up, is starting to re-establish itself as a popular habitat for local wildlife. 

A new small pool has also been dug as part of the project, helping to bring further wildlife to the site.  The reedbed will soon be planted with pieces of reed to speed the re-establishment, and local people will be welcome to help with the job.  

A date is being fixed for the work, and anyone who would like information on how to help with this or many other habitat management days run by the Rangers check the Council's website, www.teignbridge.gov.uk/countryside, or ring 01626 215751.