This time of year can be a very busy time on a wet grassland reserve. All staff and volunteers can take a sigh of relief now the breeding bird surveys are complete and we can crack on with the practical habitat management in preparation for the following year.
Inside of the electric fence around the scrape has been topped and is now being grazed by our 5 Exmore ponies. This has returned the vegetation height to an even low one and will make an attractive habitat for passing waders during the summer/autumn months and then for our wintering wildfowl during the winter.
Along with the topping the perimeter of the electric fence (all 1800 m) has been strimmed and herbicide used to keep it clear from vegetation inside and out. The electric fence has played its role extremely well in protecting the vulnerable breeding wader nests and chicks on the scrape, keeping them safe from ground predators. However, electric fences are extremely high maintenance. Regular checking and almost constant vegetation cutting is needed to keep it clear and free from shorting out. If the fence stops working it won’t take long for a wily fox to move in.
Dave using a knapsack sprayer to spray herbicide along the perimeter of the electric fence
Along with the habitat maintenance, we will also be keeping an eye on the water levels trying to keep the water low enough to create the nice muddy edges waders like to feed on. This last week we have had greenshank, green and common sandpiper, ruff, black tailed godwits and lesser ringed plover all feeding on the scrape. I will keep you updated with further sightings.