Reed Beds on Ham Lands.

Hi there. Just a quick question - does anyone know whether the terminology "reed beds" only applies to stands of phragmites australis?

I have already spoken briefly to Cassian this morning regarding my concerns about cutting of paths through a reed bed adjacent to Ham House car park, between the tow path and the playing field. I think that the area in question consist mainly of Wood Small-Reed and Canary Reed Grass. I would be very grateful if anyone who has a better knowledge of reeds and grasses could help me identify the species please.

I have e-mailed Tasha Hunter of LBRuT but in the meantime, I also came across this -http://www.richmond.gov.uk/reedbeds_hap1.pdf

Claire Fifield
Chairman FoHL
www.fohl.org.uk/forum

Sorry I can't answer your question Claire, welcome to the forum however!

If your contact answers your question, would you mind posting the answer in here please, appreciated.

Thanks,


Richard

Thanks Richard, of course I will let you know.

Had a reply from Alison Sen of LBRuT this morning - here tis _

"‘Proper’ reedbed habitats should comprise common reed ie Phragmites although other tall grass species can be present to greater and lesser extents e.g. bulrushes, canary reed grass etc. There are different types of reedbed habitats - reedbeds & reedfens - and the habitat can be managed in a multiplicity of different ways dependant on management priorities in an area (e.g. growing reeds for commercial use or for biodiversity aims e.g. to encourage particular birds species or plants, fish, invertebrates etc.) It can get complicated because water levels, cutting rotations and the time of year reeds are cut are all ways this type of habitat can be manipulated with different results! For example some specialist reedbed dependent invertebrates have life cycles that require uncut areas of reeds, others have different requirements. Complexity is the name of the game basically.

We are aware of the ‘other’ reedbed and at the moment are in a little bit of a transitional phase awaiting the results of several baseline ecological surveys which will help to determine the ideal management goals for areas and influence site wide management plans. You’ll have to bear with us for a little while as it takes time to find out what is there first and then work on designs for long term management etc.

But it is very good that you do contact us about this type of activity. We do need to check this reed cutting activity of which I have no knowledge. It is important we know what is going on, who is doing it and that there has been proper consideration for the ecology nesting birds within any of this kind of work. Therefore we’ll be in touch again once we know more about this"

As far as they know, this work was not sanctioned by the council..having said that, I have noticed a certain "left hand not knowing what the right is up to" inclination...



More to follow.

In the meantime, any one good on reeds? (I don't mean the pan-pipe type either )

.

Thanks Cass. I have done a bit of blurb on the intro section.

I am not up on reeds and reed beds but i do know they make excellent biological filters, in fact up here in Scotland they are often used as a final phase filter after settlement ponds etc on fish farms and sewage outlets.

Yes Chris, I have seen them in action as water"polishers" in Devon. Seems such a simple but effective method, with added benefits for wildlife..

Still no clearer why this clearance took place..but I suspect that the subcontractors who were cutting the bridle path around the upper edge of the reed bed probably could not be bothered to turn and go back the way they came..