Dinosaurs, booming bitterns and other wetland birds are at the heart of the decision made by Natural England today to designate Ely Pits and Meadows in Cambridgeshire as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, making it the first SSSI to be notified and then designated by Natural England since the government’s wildlife advisor was formed in October 2006.

NE’s chief executive, Dr Helen Philips, says: “Today’s decision reflects the exceptional quality of the natural environment of the area – we are delighted that it will now be given extra recognition and protection as a result of the area being designated a site of national conservation importance”.

NE says that Ely Pits and Meadows SSSI is a nationally important site for bitterns in both the breeding and winter seasons and now becomes one of only eight sites in England to be designated as a SSSI on account of their bittern population. As an inland site, it has particular importance as many nationally important bittern sites elsewhere are in coastal locations increasingly impacted by sea level rise. The site is also important for other wetland and reedbed breeding birds, including marsh harriers and bearded tits.

The designation marks an extension of the area of ‘Kimmeridge Clay’ deposits in the area that now have SSSI status. These deposits have yielded a number of exciting fossil finds, including turtles, crocodiles, plesiosaurs, ichthyosaurs and sauropod dinosaurs. The newly extended area incorporating Ely Pits and Meadows is one of only five SSSIs to represent the fossil reptiles of the Kimmeridge Clay.

Covering more than 1 million hectares of land, there are now more than 4,000 SSSIs in England. Together they form a vital network for wildlife and geological conservation and contain an enormous range of habitats and species, many of which are endangered and listed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). SSSIs are key indicators of national progress in securing a healthy natural environment and have an important role to play in flood alleviation, carbon storage and maintaining air and water quality.

NE’s East of England director, Shaun Thomas, says: “The designation of Ely Pits and Meadows SSSI ensures that the nationally important wildlife and geology of the area will be fully recognised and taken into account in the future management and uses of the site.

“In particular, Natural England recognises the important roles of the owners and managers of the land and will work with them and other public bodies to develop means to secure the sustainable management of the area.”

Owner occupiers and other interested parties will be formally notified of the decision shortly.