CANAPE celebrates International Day for Biodiversity

22 May 2020 - Published by Harry Mach

One of the things that immediately takes your breath away when entering a wetland that is even remotely close to good status, is the sheer volume of nature that overwhelms you.

The United Nations has proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. Wetlands are home to a vast range of biodiversity, but have often been destroyed, leading to devastating biodiversity loss.

Given the wide variety of animals, plants and critters that live in Wetlands, it is not possible to list all the creatures that CANAPE will help. However, we have picked out a few here as an example for you.

Swallowtail Butterfly Papilio machan

This is a large butterfly restricted to wetlands, and has lost a lot of its previous range. It is now restricted to just the Broads National Park in the UK, where our restoration work at Hickling Broad will provide additional habitat for this species.

Bittern Botaurus Stellaris

This brown heron-types species is founding creeping through the reeds at the waters edge, looking for fish and other aquatic prey. It is known for its mating call, a far carrying booming sound, meaning they are often known as “booming bitterns”

They will be helped by the creating of new reed edging around Zuidlaardermeer and Hickling Broad.

A Eurasian Bittern, seen against a background of reeds.

For original source of picture, see here.

Spotted Crake Porzana porzana

This small roundish bird lives in marshes and sedge beds, nesting in Europe in the summer before wintering in Pakistan and Africa. Like Bitterns, they are often hidden and more often heard than seen.

Spotted Crake (a roundish bird, with speckled feathers) standing in shallow water with reeds in the background.

For original source of picture, see here A spotted crake (small roundish bird, speckled feathers), standing in shallow water

Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata

The Northern Shoveler is immediately identifiable by its large spatula shaped bill, from which the genus gets its name “Spatula.” This bill is used to feed on aquatic invertebrates, filtering the surface of water, skimming off crustaceans and plankton.

A Northern Shoveler (A duck like bird with a green head, and black beak) rising out of the water.

For Original Source, please see here

This is just a snapshot of the species that can be found in the CANAPE restoration sites. On our project visits we have encountered Vipers (Vipera Berus), White Tailed Eagles (Halieetus alicilla), frogs, insects, and even some distant Moose.

We have also seen the barren wasteland that a peat extraction site can be, and the loss of biodiversity that arises from this. This, along with the climate benefits, is a strong reason to develop alternatives to peat based substrates, such as sphagnum moss or green waste compost.

Below - A healthy restored bog, like the one in Lille Vildmose pictured below, is a haven for wildlife, and provides shelter for the biodiversity that we all depend upon.