This project aims to enhance and create wetland features such as scrapes, ponds and ditches across 60ha of farmed landscape with the intention of boosting breeding wader biodiversity in the Lower Avon Vales of Evesham, along with secondary goals to improve water quality and natural flood management.

Organised by FWAG SouthWest's Senior Environment Adviser, Joanne Leigh, the project has secured £22,440 under the Severn Trent Boost for Biodiversity Fund. The funding will be put towards wetland creation, pollarding and scrub management in ditches, pond creation and restoration and scrape creation. The project aims to work in partnership with farmers and Severn Trent, Worcestershire Wildlife Trust, Environment Agency, West Midland Bird Ringers.

The programme of events includes 6 farmers along the 16 miles of the avon.

Bird surveys will inform the delivery of the works, such as the creation of 5 enlarged scrapes on the floodplains aimed to attract more birds to the area by providing food.

Furthermore, significant management of willows over the wetlands will provide better refuge for birds and planting hedges will reduce habitat fragmentation.

Along with improved bird biodiversity, ditch management and pond enhancement will improve plant assemblages and improve water quality.