River clean-up boost for wildlife

WILDLIFE could soon be making a comeback on a stretch of the River Hull thanks to a clean-up by the Environment Agency and staff at a nature reserve.

Teams have been working across nearly two miles of flood embankment in Driffield to reduce the risk of flooding and create a valuable new habitat.

It is hoped the project, which includes the cutting back of trees around Tophill Low nature reserve, will benefit birds including the bittern, marsh harrier, sedge and reed warbler, cuckoo and many insects.

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Trees and vegetation needed clearing because it was becoming difficult for officers to inspect the embankment and carry out work.

Material used to repair the embankment is being dug from the channel side to create new habitat for young and spawning fish and wading birds.

Richard Hampshire, warden at the reserve, said: “This has been an excellent opportunity to improve the river environment from everyone’s perspective. The willow trees, whilst cover for some common woodland species, were growing on formerly rich reed bed, which is home to many much more threatened wetland communities.”