With the progression of time, much of the valuable waterside and marshland habitats had been taken over by encroaching scrub and woodland since gravel workings stopped and its value as a Site of Special Scientific Interest declined.
Since 2000, Kent Wildlife Trust and the London Borough of Bromley have been working with volunteer teams to cut back the encroaching scrub and tress. And during 2005-2007, with funding from Natural England, the Environment Agency and the London Borough of Bromley, Kent Wildlife Trust has managed a programme to restore the wildlife habitats.
| ● | trees in the marshland area and along sections of lake edges have been cleared to allow in light to encourage the growth of diverse marsh and waterside plants (which is ideal habitat for the re-introduced water voles) |
| ● | a new sluice and dam have been constructed to retain water in the marshland area and prevent it from drying out. |
| ● | an area of bank along the southern bank has been re-profiled to create a shallow shelf with a series of mini-islands to encourage emergent vegetation and habitat for aquatic invertebrates, in particular the notable dragonflies and damselflies. Removal of the top layer of the land surface exposes gravel shore providing an additional bird habitat. |
| ● | two new reed beds are being developed at the inflows of the River Cray and at the Estate Inlet, to filter any polluted water coming into the reserve |
| ● | two open water amphibian ponds have been created in the marsh area |
| ● | and, the causeway through the marsh has been upgraded for improved access |
These improvements will greatly enhance the habitats and the wildlife they support for years to come. But continuous work is needed to cut the regrowth of scrub and reversion to its overgrown state.
