Earith Wash
In 1994 The Leicestershire Wildfowlers’ Association, in partnership with Holbeach & District Wildfowlers’ Association and Spalding & District Wildfowlers’ Association, purchased 60 acres of prime shooting land on the Ouse Washes at Earith, Cambridgeshire.
Built in the 18th century to prevent the river Ouse flooding great tracts of farmland, the Ouse Washes provide a flood reservoir some 22 miles long by half a mile wide.
A large sluice at Earith allows flood water onto the Washes once the water in the Ouse reaches a level called the ‘draw mark’. At its height, the winter flood on the washes can reach a depth of around 8ft. The water is then allowed out at the downstream end of the washes through another sluice at Denver when tidal conditions allow.
The Ouse Washes are famous for their large populations of wildfowl and waders. They also provide habitat for winter migrants, and nesting birds in the spring.
Earith Wash is managed in the traditional way, with cattle grazing the grass during the summer months. The ditches are maintained as ‘wet fences’ throughout the summer and are ‘slubbed’ out on a controlled cycle to maintain plant banks.
During the winter the Wash affords excellent sporting opportunities for members of the three clubs. Limited numbers of places are available throughout the season on a day ticket basis, with records being kept to assist in the management of the Wash.
