Bitterns Thrive Thanks to Brice Aggregates’ Landmark Quarry Restoration Project

In 2025, a record 13 booming male Bitterns were recorded at Ouse Fen (nearly double the number from 2020) thanks to ongoing habitat creation in partnership with the RSPB.

A Long-Term Vision for Nature

Brice Aggregates is working with the RSPB to convert quarried land at Needingworth into over 180 hectares of reedbed and wetland – equivalent to more than 250 football pitches – providing vital habitat for Bitterns and a wide range of other wetland wildlife, including Bearded Tits, Marsh Harriers, Otters and Water Voles.

This work forms part of the UK’s largest quarry-to-reedbed restoration project, with around 1 million tonnes of aggregates extracted each year to create space for new habitat. Once complete, the site will connect with nearby nature reserves to form a 3,000-hectare wetland landscape, boosting biodiversity on a national scale.

Andrew Ward, Land & Project Manager at Brice Aggregates, said:
“We believe responsible quarrying goes together with long term environmental restoration. Seeing Bittern numbers increase is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when industry and conservation work together.”

Building with Nature in Mind

Our collaboration with the RSPB shows how former quarry sites can be transformed into thriving ecosystems that support both wildlife and the wider environment. The Ouse Fen project reflects our commitment to sustainable development, biodiversity, and leaving a lasting positive legacy.

To learn more, please visit http://www.rspb.org.uk/