Keeping Hen Reedbeds special

The mix of reedbed, fen, dykes, pools and grazing marsh at Hen Reedbeds nature reserve are a magnet for wildlife, offering spectacular opportunities for both local people and visitors to watch wildlife and enjoy the landscape.

The reserve is open year round and is free for anyone to visit.

The river wall path offers panoramic views over the reserve and the estuary. The hides offer close up views of the birds, with visitors coming down off the river wall to reedbed level, to access them. The steps to the two furthest hides are constructed in wood and need replacing.The project will install two new sets of steps constructed in recycled plastic timber.

The management of the reedbeds is underpinned by pony grazing. To facilitate this, we need to be able to herd the ponies. The project will purchase a set of metal cattle hurdles which can be used in a flexible way to construct a pony corral or to run the ponies between grazing compartments or into the livestock trailer.