No need to worry over Marbury bitterns (From Northwich Guardian)

No need to worry over Northwich's Marbury Park bitterns

7:00am Wednesday 1st February 2012 in Your Letters

FURTHER to the letter from Paul Sandbach, Guardian, January 11, I would like to allay any concerns regarding the work at Marbury Country Park regarding the bitterns.

I am pleased to confirm that Cheshire Wildlife Trust has the welfare of these spectacular birds at the heart of this project.

As visitors will see, the new boardwalk is being constructed at the very rear of the reedbed in an area previously dominated by scrub and not reeds, with no impact on the centre of this important habitat.

Once complete, the area immediately adjacent to the boardwalk should also regenerate, providing a natural screen.

Construction work has already ceased this winter to ensure the bitterns can use the reedbed undisturbed, and it is also important to note that bitterns are only winter visitors to Marbury.

Once the project is complete, we will monitor the bitterns and other wildlife with the support of local observers, and access to the path may be closed if this is deemed necessary during future winter periods.

Due to the substantial height of reeds, up to 8ft, it is a common practice on nature reserves to use boardwalks as a way to allow visitors to explore this fascinating wildlife habitat in a managed way.

TOM MARSHALL Communications Officer Malpas