With the celebration of World Wetland Day on Sunday 2 February, volunteer Rob takes a closer look at these special watery places and uncovers some of their star residents.

Wetlands are undoubtedly a conservation success story, and here in Staffordshire we’re very lucky to have some prime spots to visit. Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Tucklesholme nature reserve, near Barton-under-Needwood, plays host to a whole raft of waterfowl and waders. Over the past several years the Trust has transformed this former quarry into a key breeding spot for oystercatcher, skylark, shelduck and common sandpiper. More centrally, Doxey Marshes is a wetland oasis in Stafford and arguably one of the best birdwatching spots in the county.

But before we meet the wildlife, a little bit of history unfolds…I want to introduce you to Charles Rothschild. This is where the beginnings of The Wildlife Trusts set seed. Charles was part of the family dynasty who owned the historic Rothschild banking organisation, but when he wasn't juggling credits and debits, his focus was very much on the natural world. In the spring of 1912, he used his position of influence to draw together powerful, like-minded souls, with the purpose of creating a very special society; a society with the stated aim 'to urge by means of the press, personal efforts, and by correspondence with local societies and individuals, the desirability of preserving in perpetuity sites suitable for nature reserves'. Their plan was to identify wildlife areas deemed worthy of preservation and encourage others to acquire the sites and look after them. 

On July 26 1912, the Society for the Promotion of Nature Reserves ('SPNR' which later became 'The Wildlife Trusts') held its first formal meeting, at the Natural History Museum. A list of 284 sites was drawn up, including Box Hill in Surrey, the coombs and cliffs of Cornwall (from Bude to Boscastle), Dovedale in Derbyshire, Puffin Island off Anglesey and the St Kilda archipelago. Rothschild's dream for the establishment of nature reserves throughout Britain was terrific, but sadly, through no fault of his own, his timing was less good. Just two years after that very first meeting, Britain went to war. Although Charles Rothschild never realised his full ambitions for the SPNR, his vision shaped nature conservation here in Britain onward into the next millennium. 

Fast-forward to the present day. Notably, one of the most important conservation efforts has been the restoration of Britain's wetlands. Collectively, they are managed and nurtured by various bodies, including the county-based Wildlife Trusts. The numerous beneficiaries include dragonflies, such as darters, hawkers and damsel flies, grass snakes and frogs, through to water voles and otters. Most obviously, however, the re-establishment of our natural bodies of water, complete with muddy banks, island refuges and surrounding reed beds, has benefitted our feathered friends. If they could thank us in person, many different species would surely express their gratitude for our wetland conservation work, including these three from right here in Staffordshire.

1) Reed bunting. These sparrow-sized birds occupy reedbeds, wetlands and farmland, feeding on insects in summer, then seed heads in winter. They have a simple three-note territorial call. In summer, the male has a black head, white collar and a drooping moustache. Females and winter males have a streaked head. In flight, the tail looks black with broad, white edges. In winter, if you're lucky, they may even visit your garden, particularly if you live close to farmland.

 2) Lapwing. Although lapwings are commonly found around grassland/farmland, males particularly are often seen wheeling over our wetlands, twisting and turning in their display flight, as they emit their distinctive ‘peewit’ calls. These striking birds forage for worms, insects and seeds in grass, mud, and sand. They often look black and white from a distance, but closer inspection will reveal a glossy, dark green plumage; Green Plover is another name for this much-loved bird.

3) Marsh Harrier. Seemingly, wherever there are small creatures, there are larger ones that want to eat them. This is the top predator of Britain's marshes and the bird who gifted its name to the famous Harrier 'Jump Jet'. For me, there are few better sights than being able to watch Marsh Harriers gliding above reedbeds on their broad, slightly raised wings. Made extinct in Britain by persecution in the 19th century, the current population has grown back from a single breeding group, in Suffolk circa 1970.

When I visit some of the UK’s nature reserves, increasingly I see ever-younger enthusiasts out there connecting to wildlife, like my granddaughter pictured below. Charles Rothschild would certainly have approved of that, in fact, he was probably banking on it!