Fencing for Water Vole & Waders (Port Clarence Pools)

Port Clarence is an important site for breeding and wintering waders and wildfowl. To maintain the grass sward to the appropriate length, cattle are used to graze the grass. These cattle are contained by a boundary fence that is in a poor state of repair. This project will remove the old fence and replace it with a new one, which will ensure that cattle are safely contained within the field. A ditch crosses the Port Clarence Pools field. This has the potential to be an excellent Water Vole habitat. Cattle currently have access to these ditches which means that any Water Vole ditches are trampled by cattle. The installation of a barrier fence prevents cattle from accessing the banks and provides the opportunity for Water Voles to establish.