I had some good news this week as it’s been announced that work has begun to create 2.4 hectares of new reed bed, wet woodland and wet grassland  habitat at the nearest wetland centre to my home. The  Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) are  to provide Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Lancashire, primarily with a new nesting habitat for reed bunting and water vole and other important species of conservation concern such as bearded tit, sedge warbler and reed warbler.  The project involves the excavation and profiling of ditches and ponds within an area that was once part of the Martin Mere - at one time one of the largest lakes and wetlands in the Lancashire plains. Once completed the open channels will be used for visitors to paddle around the reed bed in canoes.  I’m looking forward to this alternative method of bird watching while getting close to wildflowers and insects such as bumble bees, dragonflies and butterflies – but seeing as it’s thirty-odd years since I’ve been in a canoe I’m not sure if I’ll be allowed in one (or even fit in!). The wetland creation will be completed by October with the canoe safari experience opening next spring.