Cowles Drove extension to RSPB Lakenheath Fen
In 2023 the RSPB began work reverting 67 hectares of arable land back to wetland which helps enlarge the existing reserve to a total of 490ha.
The project aims to create fen and wet and dry grassland on the Norfolk/Suffolk border and to protect the remaining carbon held in the peat-based soils of these fields. When the land was being farmed, the peat had oxidised, releasing significant amounts of carbon dioxide.
The land lies within the Fens National Character Area with fen and wet grassland being priority habitats. The previously created nature reserve at Lakenheath, begun in 1995, now qualifies as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for Common Crane, Eurasian Bittern and Western Marsh Harrier (but has yet to be designated).
Who’s Involved?
RSPB is the landowner and project manager of this scheme which has been funded by a donation from the Morgan Sindall Group. The RSPB is also part of the Fens East Peat Partnership (FEPP). The Lakenheath Fen project contributes to a larger effort to restore peatland sites in low-lying areas across Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. FEPP received grant aid from the Natural England Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme.
Consultation has involved King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Council, Southery and District Internal Drainage Board (IDB), Environment Agency, Natural England, neighbouring landowners and the Ministry of Defence.
What Have They Achieved?
- 67 ha of arable land has been restored back to fen and wet and dry grassland
- We have raised the water levels across a wider 118 ha area to prevent peat erosion and carbon release
- New habitat has begun to be used by wading birds, water fowl and egrets.
- Cattle grazing on the land has commenced
How Do They Do It?
The project started with extensive survey work to measure soil quality, peat depth, protected species and vegetation of the fields and ditches. We made use of existing data on peat depth, water transport through the soil and LiDAR (light detection and ranging) topography
Water levels were raised by damming internal ditches and installing water control structures (including 7 sluices and 16 culverts) as well as removing field drains to prevent water loss, and the re-routing of an IDB drain.
Badgers and Water Voles were relocated and new habitat was created for them.
Manual dipwells and auto-loggers were installed for ongoing monitoring of water levels and surface level change rods to monitor peat depth.
What’s Next?
- Installation of additional stock fencing.
- Installation of an electric pump (and its connection to the grid), to maximise the movement of water for our target habitats (fen and wet grassland) and species (waders, egrets, crakes, cranes).
- Finishing the validation process by the IUCN Peatland Code
- Continue ongoing monitoring of the water, species and habitat
- Registering the land (where eligible) for Biodiversity Net Gain
- In the longer term, we will install predator exclusion fencing around one field
- Much of the work to date has been done by contractors or RSPB staff but as the site transitions into more regular maintenance work RSPB will make increasing use of its volunteer team to assist with managing the land.
