Hello everyone, and also goodbye as this is my last full week and final blog post as a residential volunteer here at the Exe Estuary Reserves.
It’s been a fun, although hard work at times, experience. I’ve seen the reserve change from a winter haven for ducks, geese and waders to a spring breeding ground for passerines. The fields have changed from a sea of green to a patchwork of colour, butterflies and dragonflies have emerged, the temperature has risen and water levels have lowered. I’ve had the privilege of seeing lapwing nest, hatch and fledge, catching my first glimpses of adders, grass snakes and weasels in the wild, meeting some interesting people and working in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. Tasks such as dragging large sacks of Ragwort up a steep slope at Labrador Bay, digging deep holes for huge oak gate posts and moving said posts around have definitely improved my muscles, my mind has been filled with extra knowledge of birds, insects and flowers, as well as an added appreciation for the work organizations such as the RSPB do in conserving our natural environment.
As the seasons and the reserve has changed I too must move on to pastures new, but first there’s time to tell you about what’s been going on this week.
Tools which were once lying haphazardly against the inside of our workshop container are now hanging up neatly on the wall, freeing up a surprisingly large amount of space. A new shelving unit was constructed. This proved to be more challenging than expected as there was an odd assemblage of parts from two previously dismantled shelving units, covered in rust with parts missing and no instructions as to how they went together. But with a little initiative, a couple of hours and a tin of paint we managed to recycle the parts and make something useful.
Two days were spent at Labrador bay removing ragwort that has sprung up in one of the fields. The first day with just us residentials in glorious sunshine, the second with our work party in heavy rain, sorry about that guys, but their work was greatly appreciated and rewarded with ice cream. Ragwort is controlled on our reserves as it has a tendency to become dominant if left to its own devices and is legally listed as an “injurious weed” as it can be harmful to livestock. Grazing is an important part in maintaining the habitat for Cirl Buntings on Labrador Bay and the overwintering birds on Exminster Marshes, by keeping the vegetation at the desired height.
Some rickety post and rail fencing has been replaced with a brand new sturdy structure. I think I’ve finally got the hang of hammering nails without them bending on me, shame it took me 5 months and happened in my last week!
Lapwing monitoring continues, although most of the lapwings have now fledged with just one or two families left with young. I wish them and all the staff and volunteers at the Exe Estuary and neighbouring reserves good luck with the future.
Good Bye and thanks for reading.
I have enjoyed working with you and reading your excellent blogs about the reserve Andrew, best wishes for the future