It’s business as usual here at Exminster Marshes, our efforts constructing the predator fence have been ratcheted up to a new level now the water levels have receded, so for the last month completing the final sections of fox proof mesh has been our highest priority. We are very much getting near completion though, as the lapwing breeding season is fast approaching. The winter flocks we have here will soon be breaking up and looking for ground to breed on. Our hard work on the fenced field will hopefully pay off and the lapwings will choose the field to successfully breed. Only time will tell.
Hard at work on the predator exclusion fence
The weather has continued to be mild here at Exminster, albeit quite wet and there have been many birds starting their full song. We’ve heard chaffinches, great tits and a skylark was also reported to have been heard, giving the whole place a very springtime feel. There are also the high numbers of widgeon, teal and lapwing that is to be expected in winter. A visit to the marshes at this time of year can be quite fruitful! The Thursday volunteer work party have been out in full force too, partly focusing on the predator fence, but also continuing the hedge laying over on the Powderham side of the reserve, as mentioned in Dan Snowdon’s previous blog entry.
Hedgelaying is a traditional technique used to create a natural, living barrier that livestock such as cattle and horses cannot get through. If left unmanaged, a hedgerow that hasn’t been laid will become taller and become what is effectively a line of trees with many gaps. Hedgelaying creates a well-managed hedge that provides a lot of protection for wildlife by creating a bushy, full and long lasting barrier that will remain for up to fifty years. As well as being aesthetically pleasing in comparison to barbed wire fences, the hedges over at Powderham will also provide a home to our cirl buntings and other species. We have been using the ‘Welsh Border’ regional style, where the trees and shrubs are partly cut at their base, laid, then willow stakes driven in at 30-degree angles are used and the laid trees and shrubs are woven through, packed out with some dead wood as well. Anyone wondering why we’re not using the Devon regional style, well, that technique is traditionally raised up on an earth bank which the trees and shrubs were planted on, which simply isn’t available at Powderham. We’ve made superb progress over the last few weeks and it’s down to our hard working volunteers, thank you ladies and gents!
Preparations for hedge laying (photo by Dennis MacWilliam)