New homes for all - Target Species

As Hanson Aggregates extract sand and gravel for new human homes they will, over the next 30 years, hand over worked out sections of Needingworth Quarry to the RSPB and thus provide a habitat suitable for new homes for an extensive array of wildlife.

The fresh water reed bed will not only provide an attractive location for wetland birds but will also provide sanctuary for other rare and endangered species from the Otter and Water Vole to the Great Copper Butterfly.

Eurasian Otter (Lutra Lutra)

Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris)

Eurasian Otter (Lutra Lutra)

Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris)

However the greatest beneficiaries, other than humans, are likely to be wetland birds. Prior to the activities of the "Adventurers" and Vermuyden et al, the fen was home to enormous numbers of wild fowl and other wetland birds. Hopefully as the project proceeds we will see a return of many of the native specie that would have been familiar to our ancestors.

 
Some of the likely future avian inhabitants
Bewick Swan 
Bittern 
Canada Goose 
Coot 
Cormorant 
Gadwall 
Great crested grebe 
Goldeneye 
Greylag goose 
Lapwing 
Little grebe 
Mallard 
Moorhen 
Mute swan 
Pintail 
Pochard 
Redshank 
Ruddy duck 
Shovelor 
Smew 
Snipe 
Teal 
Tufted duck 
Widgeon