Wokingham Borough Council has received funding to replace one of the bird hides at Lavell’s Lake Local Nature Reserve.
The £30,000 grant was awarded by the SUEZ Communities Fund, which supports community and environmental improvement projects in England and Scotland.
The existing bird hide to be replaced (pictured) is in the north of Dinton Pastures and was built over 25 years ago, and has come to the end of its life. As it is on ground level, there is often flooding during wet winter months.
The new hide will have improved accessibility for wheelchair users. Also, it’ll be 1.2 metres above the ground so it will greatly reduce the chance of flooding and offer a better view over the lake and surrounding reedbed habitats for bird watching.
Work will start on building the new hide next month and is expected to be complete before Christmas, just in time for welcoming bitterns returning to the lake for winter.
Other birds that can be seen from the hide include sand martins, warblers (like sedge), waders (like little ringed plover) and ducks like shoveler.