Seclusion and shelter

 Freedom from disturbance is extremely important and it can be ensured in several ways. Obviously, public access and activities like fishing and sailing must be limited to certain zones or times, or must be prohibited completely.

In order to increase the seclusion of a breeding area, trees and shrubs should be planted to give screening cover and shelter from the wind. Willows, alders, birches and poplars will grow close to water. There are very many willows and the following have proved useful, in our experience:

creeping willow; common osier; purple osier (good winter colour); goat willow; violet willow (good winter colour); white willow (large tree); crack willow.

The pin oak is also a useful tree which is tolerant of damp situations and produces acorns which are a great draw for mallard. The seeds of alder and birch are also enjoyed by duck. Where possible an outer belt of quick growing sheltering conifers should be planted on the drier ground.

Trees or shrubs must not be allowed to grow so close to the water's edge that they shade out marginal vegetation, except where some areas of bare shoreline are needed for preening.

The area managed for breeding waterfowl should be fenced to keep out grazing stock. This is to protect the planted material and to allow natural ground cover to grow up. However, it is useful to allow cattle access to part of the water margin where their trampling and maturing will make perfect conditions for waders such as snipe.

 

Roosting and loafing

Suitable places are needed to act as day-time roosts for ducks, and night roosts for geese, and a large expanse of water, above 12 acres (5 h.) fulfils this quite well. However, the birds must also have shore roosting areas where they can rest, sleep, preen etc., out of reach of predators, preferably in the sunlight, and sheltered from the prevailing winds. Such 'loafing spots' are of great importance to waterfowl and must be incorporated into their habitat. Wild birds prefer elevated banks, free from tall vegetation and with easy access to open water. At Linford this need can be met in a variety of ways. The ducks can have access to low grazed embankments, they will use bare loafing rafts moored in sheltered bays, and one area of our reserve contains a purpose built loafing spit. This is a long narrow peninsula, pushed out into the main lake, which is covered in black polythene sheet, topped with 0.25in. (6-18 mm.) gravel in a layer 10 in. (25 cm.) thick to suppress all vegetation.

Ducklings too have a vital need for some dry, bare areas for preening and sleeping. For this reason one or two islands can be kept clear of vegetation by the use of herbicides, or by physical clearance.

 

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