Sedge Warbler in Common Reed ©Chris Gomersall
Common reed
Scientific name
Phragmites australisWhen to see
January to DecemberSpecies information
Category
Statistics
Height: up to 4mConservation status
Habitats
About
Common reed forms extensive, yellow-brown reedbeds in wetlands across the UK. These reedbeds are important habitats for birds, including rare and threatened species like Bittern, Marsh Harrier and Bearded Tit. Common Reed grows from creeping rhizomes (underground stems) and flowers from August to October.How to identify
Common reed has tall, hollow, golden stems. It has large, feathery, flower spikes that appear dark purple, but slowly fade to brown as the spikelets (containing the flowers) grow bristles.Distribution
Widespread.In our area
Reedbed restoration at Brandon Marsh
25 years ago, volunteers grew and planted reed seedlings into a newly prepared area at Brandon Marsh. Alban's reedbed now regularly attracts breeding Cetti’s, reed and sedge warblers, as well as water rail and reed bunting. Little grebes, kingfisher, common tern, heron and egrets fish in the channels and otters also use the area. In the winter common snipe feed on the edges and huge flocks of starlings roost safely above the water.
To maintain the reedbed and prevent it drying out and becoming less suitable for fish, the reedbed has been re-shaped over several winters to create more channels and a greater variety of underwater levels. The areas of open water will support a greater number of fish using the deeper channels to move into the reedbeds.
We hope that the now-restored reedbeds will help fish and other aquatic species to thrive. There is a good chance that rare Eurasian bittern, regularly heard at Brandon Marsh but not known to be breeding here, may choose to breed in the restored reedbeds over the coming years.
See it for yourself!
The Carl Lewis observation platform offers an incredible and fully accessible view over the restored reedbeds. Look for the many wetland birds living on the pool and keep an eye out for the barn owls which swoop over the reeds. In winter the starling murmuration is a truly spectacular sight here. Find the platform on the Kingfisher trail at Brandon Marsh.
Did you know?
Over time, reedbeds of Common reed will naturally be encroached by scrub and succeed to woodland if they are left alone. However, for many years they have been cut and managed to produce reeds for thatching buildings. Continuing this form of management keeps the habitat intact, providing a home for specialist wildlife.Reedbed restoration at Brandon Marsh
25 years ago, volunteers grew and planted reed seedlings into a newly prepared area at Brandon Marsh. Alban's reedbed now regularly attracts breeding Cetti’s, reed and sedge warblers, as well as water rail and reed bunting. Little grebes, kingfisher, common tern, heron and egrets fish in the channels and otters also use the area. In the winter common snipe feed on the edges and huge flocks of starlings roost safely above the water.
To maintain the reedbed and prevent it drying out and becoming less suitable for fish, the reedbed has been re-shaped over several winters to create more channels and a greater variety of underwater levels. The areas of open water will support a greater number of fish using the deeper channels to move into the reedbeds.
We hope that the now-restored reedbeds will help fish and other aquatic species to thrive. There is a good chance that rare Eurasian bittern, regularly heard at Brandon Marsh but not known to be breeding here, may choose to breed in the restored reedbeds over the coming years.
See it for yourself!
The Carl Lewis observation platform offers an incredible and fully accessible view over the restored reedbeds. Look for the many wetland birds living on the pool and keep an eye out for the barn owls which swoop over the reeds. In winter the starling murmuration is a truly spectacular sight here. Find the platform on the Kingfisher trail at Brandon Marsh.