Did you know that wetlands are one of the world's most biodiverse habitats? In fact, they provide homes for many species and larger wetlands, such as RSPB Leighton Moss, act as a vital stopover for millions of migratory birds in need of rest and to refuel.
Our wetland areas at Matson Ground may not be visited by hundreds of migratory birds, but they are still a vital part of the farm. Over the course of the last few years, we have formed several wetland areas, with assistance from DEFRA, as part of our Countryside Stewardship agreement. These healthy wetlands store carbon and slow the flow of water, something we see plenty of in the Lake District. They also support an abundance of plant life which in turn provides perfect shelter and breeding grounds for invertebrates, mammals and birds.
These are areas where livestock are excluded. Instead we are able to welcome a wide range of species such as dragonflies, damselflies, butterflies and even carnivorous plants. And by planting trees to support the development of the scrub habitat around the ponds, we hope to be able to support an ever more diverse range of species. Our recent moth survey demonstrated that there is a wide variety of high quality habitats across Matson Ground. We hope that our wetland areas will be just as successful - we'll monitor species' diversity as these habitats develop.
