Through our Cranes for Cranes sponsorship we have been supporting an important project at WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire which aims to create a better breeding habitat for cranes. As part of this sponsorship, we were invited to spend the day at Slimbridge helping with the work of restoring the habitat of the cranes and getting a chance to learn more about these wonderful birds too. Our team was delighted to get involved and got stuck in to helping the project.
The team started the day learning more about cranes and their habitat and the plants needed to sustain biodiversity. We then got to work helping to transplant plants to more optimal positions. The team worked to move plants such as sedge and yellow flag iris, which provide food for water voles – a crane’s food of choice. Our efforts will help improve the habitat for the cranes, hopefully making it a better breeding ground for years to come.
After the hard graft the team was treated to a wildlife safari with Reserve Manager, Dave Paynter. We saw some great wildlife, including a Great White Egret and a Marsh Harrier.
Dave Paynter said: “We can’t thank Bennetts Cranes enough this year for their contribution to the reserve here at Slimbridge. Not only have they got stuck into a volunteering day with us, helping to diversify plant species and the biodiversity of the site, they have also provided vital support by sponsoring our crane habitat work. Re-introducing cranes to the UK has been a massive project for WWT and our partners, so having a sponsor to help us ensure vital habitat restoration work can continue is wonderful. They’re doing excellent work to raise the profile of these amazing birds.”
