A bird-rich wetland oasis

Micklemere is a small wetland area close to Ixworth near Bury St Edmunds. Something of a fluke Micklemere is not a piece of ancient countryside naturally rich in wildlife, nor is it the product of a clever habitat creation project. What was once improved grazing marsh with little wildlife interest has become in a few short years the wonderful wetland habitat we have today.

Within a day of the restoration work being complete dragonflies were hawking along the water filled ditches

Micklemere lays in a valley next to the river Black Bourne, part of what was once a corridor of grazing marshes running from Elmswell to Euston. The Ixworth Bypass constructed in the early 1990's cuts across the north west corner of the site and as a result the site now regularly floods. This constant flooding has created a large area of bare ground which when wet attracts large numbers of wetland birds.

Star Species:
Barn owl
Little Ringed Plover
Shelduck

Since the Trust acquired the reserve in 2002 with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund, we have undertaken work to enhance the wetland habitat and provide new facilities for visitors. Shingle Islands have been created for nesting birds and a shallow scrape has been excavated that provides an important feeding habitat for waders in the spring and autumn. In the summer the Mere can dry out as ground water and river levels fall. Vegetation quickly colonises the open ground and when the Mere re-floods this creates an ideal habitat for wildfowl and provides great feeding opportunities.

In 2007 the Trust purchased a further 6.8 ha. The new acquisition is a delightful mix of rough pasture, dykes, river and stream. The new land has made Micklemere into a viable grazing unit and we have recently introduced cattle. Native black poplar have been planted along the river Black Bourn.

A bird-watchers paradise Micklemere constantly attracts a rich variety of bird life. Species such as breeding redshank, lapwing as well as migrant waders including green sandpiper and greenshank can be seen. It is the sort of site that has always has something of interest and can occasionally turn up a rarity. Barn owls are becoming a regular sight at the Mere breeding in an artificial box on the Reserve. To cater for this interest a hide has been erected on the edge of the reserve, in addition on-site interpretation explains the wildlife interest of the reserve.

The new hide allows visitors to get far closer to the birds without causing unnecessary disturbance

Why not combine your visit with a trip to Pakenham Water mill open weekends and bank holidays Easter to October. The mill can be seen in action on Thursday mornings. Ring for further details on 01359 270570 or 01359 230629