Exploring our wetlands – and some of the birds that live there
Wetlands are some of the most interesting and valuable ecosystems on the planet. And we’re lucky to have so many on our doorstep.
The South Downs National Park, dissected by seven major rivers, a network of streams and an iconic coastal border around the
Seven Sisters cliffs and Cuckmere Haven is a sanctuary for wetland wildlife.
A wetland is simply a place where the land is covered by water, either salt, fresh, or somewhere in between.
The national park has a huge variety of aqueous areas, including rivers, chalk streams, floodplains, marshes, bogs, lakes, reedbeds, ponds, canals, wet woodland and wet grassland.
As well as being oases for flora and fauna, their carbon-capturing abilities pack a big punch. Wetlands can store 50 times more carbon than rainforests, helping to keep the heat-trapping gas that contributes to climate change out of the atmosphere.
Sadly, 87 per cent of the world’s wetlands have been lost over the past 300 years, so it’s vital that we all help protect the fragile habitats that remain.
These watery lands are truly a theatre of nature, not least for birds and the hundreds of twitchers who come out every year to catch a glimpse of them wading, flying, diving or showing off their flamboyant courtship displays.
RSPB Pulborough Brooks, Arundel Wetland Centre and Cuckmere Haven, in particular, all provide wonderful birdwatching opportunities.
Ranger Tim Squire, a keen photographer, shares some of his favourite wetland birds in the National Park:
Dunlin
The dunlin is a small sandpiper, and enjoys the comparatively warmer climes of the south coast during the winter. It particularly likes estuaries and river basins, where it seeks out insects, worms and molluscs to eat. In summer, the dunlin breeds in the uplands of the UK. The dunlin is unmistakable in its summer plumage: adults are brick-red above, with a black belly patch.
Wigeon
The wigeon is a colourful duck that can often be spotted wheeling round our winter skies in large flocks. A dabbling duck, it surface-feeds on plants and seeds in shallow waters.
Unlike most ducks whose quacks tend to be rather tuneless male wigeons have a far-carrying, two-syllable whistle that sounds a bit like ‘wee-ooo’. The wigeon name partly imitates this tuneful call. Females have a harsher growl sounding voice.
Avocet
Once extinct from our shores, the avocet colonised Britain when coastal marshes in East Anglia were flooded to provide a defence against possible invasion by the Germans. This Schedule 1 species is the emblem of the RSPB and symbolises the bird protection movement in the UK more than any other species.
Oystercatcher
The oystercatcher is a large, stocky, black and white wading bird. Because it eats cockles, the population is vulnerable if cockle beds are overexploited. Although predominantly a coastal bird, during the past 50 years, more birds have started breeding inland.
Curlew
The curlew is the largest European wading bird, instantly recognisable by its long, downcurved bill, brown upperparts, long legs and evocative call. It loves to feed on worms, shellfish and shrimp.
How can you help?
Give birds space – when birds are disturbed, they stop feeding or resting and may even fly away. If the birds cannot feed and rest undisturbed, they may not have enough energy to survive.
Keep dogs under close control and on leads in areas where birds are nesting or feeding. During ground-nesting birds season, it’s best to stick to paths as you could unwittingly disturb a nest.