Just like any home, nature’s home requires plenty of DIY. That’s why we’ve been very busy here on the marshes this week. As you can imagine, with 180 hectares of land on Exminster and Powderham marshes our work is permanently on going. The cattle grazing on the marsh to creates a highly varied grassland, keeping the right environment for all the wildlife down by the Exe. So we need to make sure all of our gates and fences are in good condition to keep the cattle in the required fields to optimize their effect. This means lots of replacing old rotten gate post and broken rails. Maintenance on the predator fence always makes itself a priority as we need them properly maintained to provide ideal levels of protection. And when we’re not too busy on other tangents we fit in some time to do a bit more work on the new viewing platform up at Powderham marsh. The new platform is being made from green oak to last longer. So it’s important to take the time to make sure it’s being done properly. The weather has been superb for the last few days, which means lots of weeding. The Bane of every gardener. Although it does give you plenty of time outdoors to appreciate the blue skies and see the nature you’re hard at work protecting. There have been dragonflies darting around the ditches, a plethora of butterflies (especial meadow browns), the odd hobby, herons hiding in the ditches looking for lunch, swans raising signets and much more. So if you’re not too busy with your own DIY this weekend, why not come and appreciate the benefits of ours.