Action Plan: Reedbed

Reedbeds are wetlands dominated by stands of the common reed Phragmites australis, wherein the water table is at or above ground level for most of the year. There are about 5000 ha of reedbeds in the UK, but of the 900 or so sites contributing to this total, only about 50 are greater than 20 ha. Nationally, two key mammals, otter and water vole are associated with reedbeds.

Reedbeds are amongst the most important habitats for birds in the UK. They support a distinctive breeding bird assemblage including 6 nationally rare Red Data Birds: the bittern, marsh harrier, crane, Cetti’s warbler, Savi’s warbler and bearded tit. This habitat also provides roosting and feeding sites for migratory species and is used as roost sites for several raptor species in winter. Within Northumberland, the crane is only a vagrant and the two warblers are species of southern England. However, bittern, marsh harrier and bearded tit could be expected to become established if the appropriate habitat existed. 

In addition to their ornithological importance reedbeds are closely associated with five GB Red Data Book invertebrates including red leopard moth Phragmataecia castanaea and a rove beetle Lathrobium rufipenne.