Hen Reedbeds anti-predator fence

Hen Reedbeds nature reserve stretches over 55ha on the Blyth estuary. It is a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Protection Area (SPA), a RAMSAR site and a flagship site for the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty part of the Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve.

In recent years, predation of chicks from their nests has reduced the breeding success of waders
(lapwing, redshank, avocet) and wetland birds (common tern) to levels that are too low
to maintain a stable population. Breeding lapwing and redshank numbers are in serious
decline in Suffolk, and nationally.

The project will install a permanent electric fence, enclosing the grazing marsh, to
exclude foxes and badgers but not stoats. Our goal is to increase the number of lapwing, redshank, avocet and tern chicks successfully fledged to a sustainable level.

The success of the project will be monitored long term as part of the reserve management cycle.