Reedbed Fish Habitat Creation

In 2024, an exciting new reedbed habitat was created using surplus earth from the Lakeside car park construction, turning leftover materials into valuable wildlife habitat.

Regular visitors to Ferry Meadows may have noticed the large mound of earth beside Gunwade Lake . Following successful funding bids, we were delighted to transform this former soil stockpile into an exciting conservation project and an essential part of a new reedbed creation scheme, improving habitat for fish as well as amphibian, bird and invertebrate species. Funding was provided by the Valencia Community Fund through the Landfill Communities Fund and the Environment Agency Fisheries Improvement Programme, and the project was delivered in partnership with the Environment Agency and the Peterborough and District Angling Association (PDAA).

The surplus soil was carefully placed into Gunwade Lake to create a large underwater bed, which was then planted with common reed, a species that thrives in shallow water. Over time, the reed has begun to establish, creating a valuable reedbed habitat, currently scarce within the Park. This has enhanced the lake’s biodiversity while also helping to filter the water. As the reedbed continues to mature, it will support a wide range of species, with dense submerged stems and roots providing secure spawning areas for fish and safe refuge for smaller fish from predators.

The earthworks and reedbed creation in the south-east corner of Gunwade Lake were completed by our contractor, The Fen Group. Following completion, the surrounding grass area was reseeded with a wildflower mix to benefit pollinators.