Hello again from Exe Estuary reserves.
This week we have spent the first three weekdays working at Powderham where we have cut some trees and shrubs in order to further open the landscape up. This helps breeding lapwing, which need an open area to build the nest. Moreover we have made some bonfires to burn all the cuttings. To be honest we have started to make bonfire much more quickly than before, probably thanks to the use of firelighters that really help the start of the bonfire.
On Thursday with our work party we spent the day at Matford where we have were trimming some hedges and coppicing some willow. Also we filled some hedge gaps up some shrubs.
On Friday morning I carry out the water level checks and thanks to the copious rains of these days the level is pretty high, indeed, pay attention if visiting the reserve as sometimes station road can flood in places.
In addition, this week, we have checked the correct operation of the electrical fences daily both on Powderham and Exminster marshes to avoid that foxes and badgers can sneak into the reserves and disturb birds breeding and nesting.
It’s all from me for now.
See you soon
Ezechiele Squarcina