Wader habitats created in
Avon Valley

“Protecting and encouraging wildlife and biodiversity is something we strive to do across the whole of our business, and funding this project is a great opportunity to continue this commitment.”

Matthew Pixton, estates manager

A new project has been launched in the Avon Valley aimed at reversing the decline in breeding waders, thanks to Tarmac funding.

The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has started research on a Ellingham Floodplain Restoration Project after receiving funding from our Landfill Communities Fund.

The numbers of breeding waders in the Avon Valley have declined dramatically, with declines of 64 per cent in lapwing, 75 per cent in redshank and 97 per cent in snipe between 1982-2002. Due to these alarming figures, breeding waders have become a priority species in the valley, and GWCT ecologists aim to further enhance habitat in and around the favoured nesting fields by creating six scrapes to hold water into spring and through selective pollarding of trees and scrub removal to open-up the landscape. The management of these fields should also make them more attractive to snipe, teal and widgeon in winter. Matthew Pixton, estates manager, said: “We’re delighted to have supported a project which is so beneficial to local biodiversity. Supporting, protecting and encouraging wildlife and biodiversity is something we strive to do across the whole of our business, and funding this project is a great opportunity to continue this commitment.”