Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve Reed bed scrub clearance

Shapwick Heath National Nature Reserve, is managed by Natural England, and is of international importance for its wildlife as a Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) and part of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Area (SPA). The requirement is to set up and initiate a programme of scrub cutting from a series of internationally important reed bed habitats found at Shapwick Heath NNR. Due to the sensitive nature of the site and breeding bird interest it is critically important for the project to be completed within the suggested timeframe. The works are required in the particular locations because the reed beds are being encroached by scrubby vegetation including but not exclusively limited to willow (various species), birch and alder. These woody species are effecting the quality of the reed bed habitat in question and reducing breeding opportunities for nationally important birds including bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit. These works will provide a long term benefit to these and other reed bed species within the NNR. The work is focused on the areas of '70 Acres' and 'Meare Heath' (see Appendix A) which are particularly important for the breeding birds, along with invertebrates and botanical assemblages. In particular, this contract will involve carefully accessing the sensitive reed bed sites following a predetermined route and then completing the necessary works (described in the specification in more detail).