Reedbed specialists

Collectively, reedbeds in the UK cover an area only slightly larger than the city of Oxford. Despite being a rare habitat, they are a familiar sight across lots of wetlands and support many breeding birds.

Nesting birds to listen out for when you visit a reserve

Consisting primarily of a monoculture of one plant – common reed – reedbeds must surely be one of the most specialised of all habitats. The tall, wavy stands of Phragmites are happiest with their feet wet, and as long as the plants are inundated for either all or part of the year, they can flourish in fresh and brackish water.

Reedbeds represent a habitat in a state of arrested succession (an environment that has been prevented from evolving as a result of human activity) and therefore must be preserved effectively. Without a regular routine of cutting, burning, and ditch and water level management, these highly dynamic systems would eventually dry out. Consequently, the reedbed would become colonised by shrubby plants, before converting into waterlogged (or carr) woodland.

There are about 5,000ha of reedbeds in the UK, with approximately 900 sites contributing to this total. However, only 50 locations cover more than 20ha and have the lion’s share of both diversity and species of conservation interest.

TAKE YOUR PICK

While expansive reedbeds can be relatively thin on the ground, the good news is that almost all the best sites are either managed or owned by conservation organisations, making them easy to visit. The majority of these reserves also have well placed hides, enabling you to scan across a sea of reeds for signs of avian activity. Hides do offer minimal disturbance to wildlife but the view can sometimes be restrictive – elevated footpaths are also worth investigating.

May is certainly a wonderful month to watch wildlife in any habitat, with reedbeds