Tesco customers voted for Herefordshire Wildlife Trust to be given their top funding award of £4,000 for their Community Reedbed project.

The project was one of several which went to a public vote held at Tesco stores across Hereford in July and August this year as part of Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme.

The project plans to invite the local community and people from across the county to join in with a planting event, planting many small reed plants around the edges of the lake which will grow to form large areas of reedbed.

Reedbed is key to creating wildlife-friendly habitat around lakes and along rivers. Reedbed provides food and shelter for a wide range of species including otter, bats, moths, birds, and toads. Many wildlife species are often only found where there is reedbed such as bitter, bearded tits and reed warblers and it is hoped that some of these species will be attracted to Bodenham Lake once the work is completed.

Reedbed is rapidly becoming one of the UK’s rarest habitats and the wildlife which relies on them is suffering. This project will create large areas of reeds to provide a wealth of wildlife to thrive. It will shelter young fish, allow birds to build nests, provide feeding and resting places for otters.

Herefordshire Wildlife Trust want as many people as possible to be involved in the planting and in the many other projects which are happening at Bodenham Lake. The project officer, Sophie Cowling said: “Bodenham Lake is one of the county’s best nature reserves but is also a special place for the local community. We want to create a fantastic wildlife haven at the Lake and would like as many people as possible to get involved to help us achieve this. Whether you would like to help with the planting, are keen to learn about wildlife surveying techniques or can help us run events and activities we’d love to hear from you!”