Day dawned a bit unpromising - high pressure gloom over us and a cold north easterly. It must be that erupting volcano in Iceland causing it all - it has covered my car in pumice powder already!
On arrival at the farm things started to look up though: half a dozen cars lined up in the carpark denotes likely activity with the Thursday work party. So we head on down to the wetlands and sure enough, encounter them busy planting phragmites along the pathway round the flooded meadow. We are reliably informed that a 40% success rate would be reasonable to expect. it's a cold job today with that wind cutting across the wetland but the thought of elevenes and lunch later in the hide keeps them going.
Marjorie Hutchins, leader of the West Coast RSPB group. The Campfield Volunteer Workparty is comprised mostly from this group.
Other members of the work party on the reed planting project.
Some of these volunteers have been coming here on work parties for the last fourteen years
Reeds that have been planted against the fence to act as a screen
Heading on towards the woodland we encounter Dave Blackledge (Warden) doing careful planting round the outfall and sluice valve area.
Then on into the wood, finding Stephen Paisley (Estate Worker) and two further volunteers, working on the ""Sylvan Glade Bower" weaving further willow fronds and honeysuckle into the structure. One feels that a quote from Wordsworth or Keats would be appropriate - but I don't have the learning, so I'll pass!
Neil Hutchins trying out the Bower seat for size - it seems to be holding under the weight - Dave appears a little anxious though!
We take our leave of the workparty and return, encountering a vehicle with survey-type logos written on it. Later finding out that it is to do with Natural England who are carrying out a massive terrain and hydrological survey of the whole area. Have noted their vehicle around the area for a while now.
Goodness me! Is there no end to today? Arriving back amongst the farm buildings we find a man up a ladder with electronic equipment. So with our newshound instincts thoroughly aroused and press pass at the ready, we approach same and elicit that he is a consultant doing a preliminary bat survey. Asking politely if he 'Batman' would mind us taking a photo of him. Seems an affable fellow and agrees to pose. Not wishing to impose too much on his valuable time though, we have a brief but illuminating conversation about bat identification - time is money!
We return home thoroughly exhausted by our morning's activity !!!