What are they doing to Cleethorpes Country Park? Fears for wildlife as reedbeds are decimated

Where have all the reeds gone? Clearance underway this week

 

THERE is disquiet this week  over clearance of extensive areas of reedbed, willow trees and scrub in  Cleethorpes Country Park.

North East Lincolnshire Council has been opening up and deepening the channels as apparent scenic and other 'enhancement' of the site.

But in doing so, it has eradicated precious nesting and over-wintering habitat for Water Rails, Cetti's Warblers, Sedge Warblers Great Crested Grebes, Mute Swans  and other birds.

The reedbeds occasionally attracted brief visits from Bearded Reedlings, Bitterns, Snipe and, this summer, a rare Purple Heron, and these are now likely to become more seldom.

There will also have been an adverse impact on the  pupae of certain butterfly, dragonfly and other species for which reeds provide a food plant.

The works have  prompted dismay among some regular park-users with one taking to social media to claim he had been brought "almost to  tears" at his outrage at what has been happening.  

On the plus side, clearance of the water-growing vegetation may have made the lakeside more amenable to fish and  to some birds  such as Kingfishers and possibly certain scarce small wading birds.

Oh dear, not a bird in sight

                                                   

Where once were shrubs and reeds, there is now a muddy morass

The Grimsby News says: The extent of works is disquieting, and there is no doubt that, at least in the short term, some wildlife will have been lost. But reedbeds quickly re-establish themselves, and maybe some of the departees will see fit to return in time for next spring's breeding season. In the meantime, NELC should waste no time in issuing a statement explaining why the works are being carried out and for what purpose. It would also be interesting to know the cost of the project.