Maidenhead Cub Scouts help construct four habitat islands for York Stream

Cub scouts in Maidenhead helped to build four habitat islands to boost biodiversity on York Stream in Maidenhead town centre last month.

The cubs joined volunteers from Friends of Maidenhead Waterways (FoMW) by Maidenhead Library on Saturday, June 22 to build the floating habitats from wooden frames and coir coconut fibre.

Recycled plastic bottles were also used to help the structures float.

A total of 17 youngsters 19th Maidenhead Cub Scouts planted the two-metre by one-metre islands using native aquatic plants provided by Wild Maidenhead.

The cubs then watched on and cheered as the islands were towed by a kayak to their floating home by the brick wall in Chapel Arches.

As the plants grow, their roots will spread into the water and provide a habitat for invertebrates and fish.

It is also hoped that birds will also nest on the islands.

Dominic Hurst of Friends of Maidenhead Waterways, said: “We are delighted the cubs could join us to help make York Stream even more friendly for wildlife.

“The habitat islands will help enhance biodiversity on the waterway, along with our new planting troughs at Chapel Arches fed by a solar panel watering system.”

FoMW are planning to construct more habitat islands for York Stream later this summer.