The Association and it's Conservation Commitment
We manage all our land for wildfowling and conservation. We have installed water control features, culverts, dams and flap valve sluices to allow us to maintain a higher water level in spring & summer as well as the ability to flood parts of our land in winter. Most fields are managed under HLS for breeding birds or wintering birds. One field on the Low Wash is managed as 'fen' and Bassenhally Pits has a wide variety of habitat that needs careful management. In recognition of our work we were awarded the BASC 'Stanley Duncan Trophy for Conservation'.
Wildfowlers are organised into clubs and associations around the country. Many undertake clean-up and conservation work on the land on which they shoot, which can be leased or owned. Wildfowling clubs manage more than a quarter of a million acres of land in the UK (104,000 hectares). 90% of that is in sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).
On average five species of wild flowers are found in unmanaged woodland. In woodland managed for shooting an average 16 species can be found. Shooting has to be sustainable. Go beyond the critical limit and there will quickly be nothing left to shoot. So improving habitat for wildlife is really enlightened self-interest, shooting can only continue if quarry species are conserved and this involves creating and maintaining the right habitat for your quarry. But this benefits other wildlife, as they too need places to shelter, feed and breed. For instance, moorland managed for shooting typically supports 33 different species of birds compared with 15 on unmanaged moorland.
An independent report by PACEC in 2006 revealed that:
• Two million hectares are actively managed for conservation as a result of shooting
• Shoot providers spend £250 million a year on conservation (five times the RSPB’s annual income.)
• Shooters spend 2.7 million work days on conservation – the equivalent of 12,000 full-time jobs.
In the past much of the conservation work carried out on shooting land provided an incidental benefit to other wildlife but increasingly it is becoming a deliberate and targeted effort. In Somerset and North Wales, for instance, shooters have been responsible for mink eradication schemes to protect water voles and endangered ground-nesting birds.
Bassenhally Pits
This is a 22 acre SSSI reserve owned by the club, which is managed through liaison with Natural England with respect to annual maintenance and forward improvement works program. Maintenance at this site has been supported by Community Payback workers and we are pleased to have involved them, and wish to thank them, in what we consider to be satisfying and long term investment in our conservation efforts.
We manage all our land for wildfowling and conservation. We have installed water control features, culverts, dams and flap valve sluices to allow us to maintain a higher water level in spring & summer as well as the ability to flood parts of our land in winter. Most fields are managed under HLS for breeding birds or wintering birds. One field on the Low Wash is managed as 'fen' and Bassenhally Pits has a wide variety of habitat that needs careful management. In recognition of our work we were awarded the BASC 'Stanley Duncan Trophy for Conservation'.
Wildfowlers are organised into clubs and associations around the country. Many undertake clean-up and conservation work on the land on which they shoot, which can be leased or owned. Wildfowling clubs manage more than a quarter of a million acres of land in the UK (104,000 hectares). 90% of that is in sites of special scientific interest (SSSI).
On average five species of wild flowers are found in unmanaged woodland. In woodland managed for shooting an average 16 species can be found. Shooting has to be sustainable. Go beyond the critical limit and there will quickly be nothing left to shoot. So improving habitat for wildlife is really enlightened self-interest, shooting can only continue if quarry species are conserved and this involves creating and maintaining the right habitat for your quarry. But this benefits other wildlife, as they too need places to shelter, feed and breed. For instance, moorland managed for shooting typically supports 33 different species of birds compared with 15 on unmanaged moorland.
An independent report by PACEC in 2006 revealed that:
• Two million hectares are actively managed for conservation as a result of shooting
• Shoot providers spend £250 million a year on conservation (five times the RSPB’s annual income.)
• Shooters spend 2.7 million work days on conservation – the equivalent of 12,000 full-time jobs.
In the past much of the conservation work carried out on shooting land provided an incidental benefit to other wildlife but increasingly it is becoming a deliberate and targeted effort. In Somerset and North Wales, for instance, shooters have been responsible for mink eradication schemes to protect water voles and endangered ground-nesting birds.
Bassenhally Pits
This is a 22 acre SSSI reserve owned by the club, which is managed through liaison with Natural England with respect to annual maintenance and forward improvement works program. Maintenance at this site has been supported by Community Payback workers and we are pleased to have involved them, and wish to thank them, in what we consider to be satisfying and long term investment in our conservation efforts.
Tree Planting
Between November 2018 and March 2019 the Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) ran a project named Woods for Whittlesey. This was funded mainly by the Fenland District Council with the aim of improving the local environment for the benefit of the whole local community. In response to a plea for local areas of land that could be made available for the planting of trees Whittlesey Wildfowlers & Conservationists contacted the project manager (Simon Belham) and offered an area of land on the Common Wash. This is the recently purchased field alongside Morton's Leam close to Bassenhally Pits. The club had already performed extensive conservation work on part of this land, completing several ponds and scrapes the previous year. As there was an area at the southern end of this field that was considerably higher ground than the majority of the field it was agreed that this should be offered for the purpose of creating a small wooded area (approximately 1 acre in area). The agreement was that PECT would supply all the trees, stakes, and tubes and the club was required to find the labour. A request was sent out to all members via email, or letter if members had no email and considering that the work was to be performed on weekdays when most of our members were at work the response was fantastic and I would like to thank all those that turned out to help (in spite of the horrible weather on the first occasion). It couldn't have happened without you guys, you did the club proud, thanks again to all of you. In all we planted approximately 900 trees in an area of 1.2 acres, hopefully in another 20 or so years some of our younger members will benefit from what we have managed to achieve. I have been able to get some aerial pictures of the area that are attached along with a couple more of the lads enjoying a break from planting, indulging in one of Ernie's famous "Sausage & Bacon Burgers".
Between November 2018 and March 2019 the Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) ran a project named Woods for Whittlesey. This was funded mainly by the Fenland District Council with the aim of improving the local environment for the benefit of the whole local community. In response to a plea for local areas of land that could be made available for the planting of trees Whittlesey Wildfowlers & Conservationists contacted the project manager (Simon Belham) and offered an area of land on the Common Wash. This is the recently purchased field alongside Morton's Leam close to Bassenhally Pits. The club had already performed extensive conservation work on part of this land, completing several ponds and scrapes the previous year. As there was an area at the southern end of this field that was considerably higher ground than the majority of the field it was agreed that this should be offered for the purpose of creating a small wooded area (approximately 1 acre in area). The agreement was that PECT would supply all the trees, stakes, and tubes and the club was required to find the labour. A request was sent out to all members via email, or letter if members had no email and considering that the work was to be performed on weekdays when most of our members were at work the response was fantastic and I would like to thank all those that turned out to help (in spite of the horrible weather on the first occasion). It couldn't have happened without you guys, you did the club proud, thanks again to all of you. In all we planted approximately 900 trees in an area of 1.2 acres, hopefully in another 20 or so years some of our younger members will benefit from what we have managed to achieve. I have been able to get some aerial pictures of the area that are attached along with a couple more of the lads enjoying a break from planting, indulging in one of Ernie's famous "Sausage & Bacon Burgers".
Ditching & Scrape Creation
There has been a great deal of field work taking place. A new scrape has been created to help with the breeding and well being of waders. The ditches around the field have been fully cleaned allowing a full flow of water along the ditches for the full winter. The creation of a professionally designed wader scrape has been undertaken by a local professional dredging company with a great experience in this type of work. The result is an excellent scrape that adds greatly to the conservation efforts of the WW&C.
There has been a great deal of field work taking place. A new scrape has been created to help with the breeding and well being of waders. The ditches around the field have been fully cleaned allowing a full flow of water along the ditches for the full winter. The creation of a professionally designed wader scrape has been undertaken by a local professional dredging company with a great experience in this type of work. The result is an excellent scrape that adds greatly to the conservation efforts of the WW&C.
Ditching works
These photos show a bit of ditching maintenance undertaken to keep the drains in good order. Ditching is only allowed until mid March under our stewardship rules and in these photos you can see the high water levels caused by recent heavy rains which brought the works to an early end. Ditching is based on need but is planned on a 5 year rotation. Also note the new gates which are built locally to our design and have been erected on most of our fields now, replacing the Australian gates (stakes and barbed wire) previously used.
These photos show a bit of ditching maintenance undertaken to keep the drains in good order. Ditching is only allowed until mid March under our stewardship rules and in these photos you can see the high water levels caused by recent heavy rains which brought the works to an early end. Ditching is based on need but is planned on a 5 year rotation. Also note the new gates which are built locally to our design and have been erected on most of our fields now, replacing the Australian gates (stakes and barbed wire) previously used.
Low Wash - reed cutting
The slideshow below shows field 21 following reed cutting by a specialist machine, contracted following works to nearby RSPB land. The reed growth had become excessive and needed to be cut back as part of our Higher Level Stewardship land management programme and had been agreed with Natural England during an earlier site meeting.
The slideshow below shows field 21 following reed cutting by a specialist machine, contracted following works to nearby RSPB land. The reed growth had become excessive and needed to be cut back as part of our Higher Level Stewardship land management programme and had been agreed with Natural England during an earlier site meeting.
Annual Willow Pollarding
Along side the Whittlesey to Thorney road (B1040) there are over 160 Willow trees. Willows have always featured in fenland and grow rapidly in the wetlands. Every two years WW&C undetake the complete pollarding of these trees, completeing half of the trees one year and the other half the next year. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly the spreading canopy would grow so large the weight of it would break the already fragile trunks of the ageing trees. Secondly the spreading branches would hamper road users as they encroach on the road. These willows were originally planted in 1910 to mark the route of the road during times of flood.
Whatever the Weather!
Below you will find the records of the pollarding for both 2011 and 2012. The contrast can be clearly seen as, in 2011, it was a claer, dry and relative warm Saturday with the contrast in 2012 when it was well below zero degrees! Whatever nature chooses conservation goes on!
February 2012 Willow Cutting
Willow Pollarding - February 2011
Bassenhally Pit
Entrance to Bassenhally Pit
We are very committed to our conservation work and as such are very fortunate to have stewardship of Bassenhally Pit. This is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) mainly because of the types of rare plants found in it's marsh, aquatic and grassland environment. Of particular interest is the Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata), a plant that was once common across the eastern counties but now extremely rare.
In addition to the conservation work undertaken by WW&C work parties the site has, in the past, been regularly visited by local organised school parties.
To view a copy of the SSSI document then click on the file download below.
In addition to the conservation work undertaken by WW&C work parties the site has, in the past, been regularly visited by local organised school parties.
To view a copy of the SSSI document then click on the file download below.
| sssi_bassenhally_pit.pdf |
