An ambitious wetland restoration project has transformed the reedbeds at Maple Lodge Nature Reserve.

The reserve, a 40-acre wetland site leased from Thames Water by the Maple Lodge Conservation Society, was originally dug out as gravel pits in the 1950s and later used as a sewage settling bed in the 60s. As the land recovered over time, 2 acres of wetland reedbed habitat developed. However, over the following 50 years they gradually dried out and by 2019 the Northern half became choked with bindweed, nettles and willow. The Conservation Society set out to return this area to wet reedbed once again… and this is the result!

These dramatic habitat improvements were delivered as part of the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s Project A Wetland Vision For Bats. This initiative is dedicated to improving the habitat for the rare Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat (a priority species under the Eurobats agreement) in the Colne Valley.

This project came to light after the exciting news that a Nathusius’ pipistrelle bat was recorded at Maple Lodge Nature Reserve. To put this amazing discovery into context, only 7 continentally ringed Nathusius’ pipistrelle have ever been recovered in the UK. 

Nature reserves like Maple Lodge, and elsewhere in the Colne Valley Regional Park, play a vital role in supporting these species. The roosting and foraging habitats of these spectacular creatures (e.g. wetlands and hedgerows) are increasingly under threat from new developments and large infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Heathrow Expansion. Despite intense pressures on the reserve, this special place hosts a fantastic diversity of invertebrate species for the bats to feast on. 

It takes a great deal of work to maintain this habitat, particularly given that the reserve is cut off from the surrounding Colne Valley by roads and developments. The reeds need to be cut back regularly to prevent them encroaching on the ponds and lakes. Over time, without intervention the wetlands become shallower as they are overwhelmed with silt. Combined with the recent drought conditions, the reed beds had declined in condition significantly and were almost bone dry this September.

It takes a great deal of work to maintain this habitat, particularly given that the reserve is cut off from the surrounding Colne Valley by roads and developments. The reeds need to be cut back regularly to prevent them encroaching on the ponds and lakes. Over time, without intervention the wetlands become shallower as they are overwhelmed with silt. Combined with the recent drought conditions, the reed beds had declined in condition significantly and were almost bone dry this September.

With support from Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust, the Maple Lodge team delivered a project to dig out excess silt and re-profile the wetland. Volunteers spent days cutting back the reeds and other vegetation to allow contractors access to the site. Volunteer Conservation Officer Martin Parr spent weeks painstakingly mapping the depth of the silt to find safe routes for heavy machinery to travel across the site. 

There is no doubt that their hard work has paid off. The view from the double-decker bird hide no longer shows an arid landscape of reeds but instead a mosaic of lakes, scrapes and varied riparian habitat. Come Spring, the now muddy tracks will be bursting with vegetation and lakes will be settled and teeming with life. The reedbeds will once again provide habitat for a diversity of species, including the invertebrates that the Nathusius’ pipistrelle bats (and many others) so desperately need to survive.

The Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust’s Project A Wetland Vision For Bats also encompasses nearby reserves Stocker’s Lake, Springwell Lake, Hilfield Park Reservoir and Broadwater Lake. The project is supported by the High Speed 2 additional mitigation fund and Colne Valley Regional Park Panel.