During the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, I regularly took a walk past Unstead Wetland Nature Reserve near Godalming. I couldn’t help notice that the site had deteriorated in recent years. Culverts were clogged up and water from the adjacent sewage works no longer reached the lagoons and meadows.

I realised that unless something was done it would soon become completely dried out and overgrown. I got in touch with Janet Pizzey, who lives nearby. She was already in contact with Thames Water, but they didn’t seem to be making much progress. So, I talked to some fellow birders and SWT volunteers who, like me, were getting a bit stir-crazy, and asked them if they fancied a couple of days’ work. We thought that’s what it would take to clear a culvert, unblock the water and cut back the overgrown footpath to the existing birdwatchers’ hide.

By lunchtime on day two we had cleared enough vegetation that water began to flow into the dry lagoon. We also saw how it could reach the north meadow. The hide was repairable, but the view from it was completely obstructed by alder and willow scrub. We immediately knew what our next task was.

Long term commitment

At this point my team and I were starting to realise how big a job this really was – but we also had the bit between our teeth. With the help of SWT’s wetland expert Glen Skelton, we prepared a site management plan to present to Thames Water’s biodiversity group. We also relied on species surveys by Jamel Guenioui and Isobel Girvan of SWT Ecology Services.

Once Thames Water realised that we were seriously committed to the project for the long term, their response was very positive. The company has since provided significant support in the form of plants, materials and heavy machinery, including whips, guards and canes for a new wildlife-friendly ‘Lockdown Legacy’ hedge.

Hard graft and bonfires

Over several weeks our group cleared scrub in the north meadow. The plan was to rotationally coppice the wooded area and fully clear as much of the ‘to be flooded’ area as they could. It became obvious that we needed to remove the tree roots and we ended up digging them out spades and mattocks. By January we were ready to start introducing water!

A new group is formed

As support from local residents and other visitors grew, the team formed the Unstead Nature Community Group, which now has more than 60 members. It distributes a monthly newsletter, has a new website and is applying for charitable status. It should eventually take over the leasehold of the reserve from Thames Water.

Build it and they will come

Although the plan is to create a rich variety of habitats for many species, there’s no doubt that Unstead is best known for birds. Since our team started recording in January 2021, we have counted around 100 species, including lapwing, green sandpiper and water rail.

The reserve appeals to human visitors too. Its first open weekend in July attracted more than 80 people.

Where next?

The project has been a true collective effort, with great support from local residents, SWT and Thames Water’s biodiversity team, who are now considering our suggestions for how to increase habitat diversity and public access. It is my hope that, together, we aim to make this the best small wetland reserve in Surrey.

To find out more about Keith's group and their work, or to become a member, visit unstead-reserve.org