Norman Sills of the RSPB is working to re-introduce marsh pea, Lathyrus palustris to the SSSI part of RSPB Lakenheath Fen nature reserve in Suffolk. Norman was Site Manager of the reserve from 1996 to 2011, and hopes to re-establish some of the original vegetation.
Seeds from another RSPB reserve were germinated and have been grown on in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. The approved reintroduction plan will involve about 20 plants being planted out in each of three seasons: this summer, this autumn and next spring in a ratio of 13 plants in places without grazing to seven plants where there will be light grazing in future. This will achieve around 40 plants in non-grazed and 20 in lightly grazed areas by summer 2015.
Norman Sills will be undertaking the monitoring of the success levels of reintroduction of this Fen speciality.