If you have walked through Cuttle Brook Nature Reserve, you may have noticed the temporary fence around the new wetland scrape in the meadow above Watkins Bridge. 

Why is the fencing needed?
The new wetland scrape was created to improve habitat and biodiversity. Scrapes like this provide vital refuge for wetland wildlife, including insects and birds and they offer food and breeding areas for a wide range of species, helping to increase the overall biodiversity of the area.

Since its completion, the scrape has become too popular with dogs who enjoy running through the water after periods of rainfall. While we love seeing dogs enjoying the reserve, their presence in the scrape can unintentionally harm the delicate freshwater wildlife we are working hard to attract.

Some common dog flea treatments (administered externally) contain Neonicotinoids—a group of pesticides banned from agricultural use in the UK since 2017 due to their devastating impact on bees and aquatic life. These chemicals can be washed off into water bodies if dogs enter soon after treatment, posing a risk to aquatic insects and invertebrates, which are a crucial food source for fish, otters, kingfishers, and herons.

Unlike the brook, the wetland scrape does not have a through flow of water, so any contamination is much harder to remove and could require significant intervention, such as removing soil. Preventing dogs from entering the scrape is the most effective way to protect this sensitive habitat. Dog owners are also encouraged not to let their pets enter the brook.

Later this year, the temporary fencing will be replaced with permanent fencing and hedging. Whilst is may seem restrictive, but it is a necessary measure to give this new habitat the best chance to thrive.