Tim Strudwick, the long serving senior site manager of the RSPB Yare Valley sites, retires after almost 30 years at the helm celebrating some major wins for conservation. Here, Tim reflects on seeing the successful return of Bitterns during this time
As Strumpshaw Fen celebrates its 50-year anniversary this year, a new era is also beginning for Tim Strudwick, the long serving senior site manager of almost 30 years, who is retiring this week after many years championing wildlife in the Yare Valley. One of Tim’s many achievements in his time at the RSPB’s Yare Valley nature reserves included the return of the secretive Bittern to the Strumpshaw Fen. A wetland bird species once threatened with extinction in the UK.
Tim also introduced groundbreaking wildlife surveying and monitoring schemes to produce a clear picture of the range of species which live in the Mid-Yare valley, including many endangered and unique species.
Tim, senior site manager of RSPB Mid-Yare Valley reserves, says:
“It’s been fascinating building up a bigger picture of all the wildlife at the nature reserve. The level of monitoring and surveying we have undertaken has allowed us to accurately measure how successful our land and water management work has been. We know we have seen a wide range of species return to the nature reserve and thrive. When I first started it had been 21 years since Bitterns had nested in the area, we now have on average four booming males every year with at least two active nests on the nature reserve, which is fantastic news for Bittern conservation.”
Over the years the survey results have painted a detailed picture of some of the most unique species of the Norfolk Broads such as the Swallowtail Butterfly and the Fen Raft Spider. RSPB Cantley Marshes was instrumental in the Fen Raft Spider re-introduction scheme undertaken in 2012. The habitat at Strumpshaw Fen is perfect for the spider too and it has now expanded its range to the nature reserve. Female spiders can be seen throughout the summer tending their ‘nurseries’ suspended above water ditches. Tim also put Strumpshaw Fen on the community nature map by modernising the visitor engagement facilities and methods.
Tim says: “When I started at the nature reserve in 1997 there was a wooden shed and three volunteers, we now have a team of 65 volunteers and visitor engagement staff to welcome visitors with a friendly face, information about the nature reserve on arrival and a series of annual events.”
Tim’s career with the RSPB began with a range of voluntary and paid roles ranging from visitor engagement, to surveying and eventually becoming a warden. Starting with the conservation charity in 1989 Tim has undertaken work all over the UK ranging from monitoring tern colonies in Anglesey amongst a backdrop of white sand and orchids to warden roles at Titchwell Marsh.
Tim took over the reigns as site manager at Strumpshaw Fen in 2001; after working there as a warden for three years. He inherited a reserve that after many years of hard labour had begun to come back from the brink and has taken it to the next level – a place where a wide range of species not only survive but thrive.
Steve Rowland, RSPB Area Manager, says:
“The Norfolk Broads are a national treasure, an amazing wetland landscape, home to some of our most threatened wildlife and for over three decades Tim has dedicated his life to working to make this special place better for people and nature. He has a lot to be proud of. I hope that in his retirement he enjoys having more time to spend out in the Broads, enjoying the wild places he has worked so hard to protect.”
Having born witness to such huge changes and seeing the return of so many long-lost species, Tim is optimistic, he’s seen the biodiversity at Strumpshaw Fen increase beyond expectations.
Tim states: “Wetland areas were one of the most depleted when I embarked on my conservation career. I have seen first-hand what can be achieved by large scale habitat restoration and ongoing land management in my time at the RSPB’s Mid-Yare Valley reserves. I have seen and been lucky enough to be part of huge changes, with many species once extinct from the area returning and thriving.”
Visit Strumpshaw Nature Reserve, Norfolk.
Tim Strudwick, senior sites manager, RSPB Mid-yare reserves by Hannah Dryland
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