Hello everyone!
Keep a look out for the next rspb advert, coming to a television near you on the 12th of June. More than just getting the word out about the importance conservation, this advert has a specific message. The aim is to encourage people to work together within their community, in order to create networks of breeding populations, and as such, help improve the community of wildlife in their area.
And to news from the reserve:
We have been enjoying some beautiful weather latterly this week, summer is officially here. Hailing from the north, I’m not used to quite so much sun, however with ample water and sun cream I am getting by with only a slightly red nose. Phill and I enjoyed the best of it while working over at Labrador Bay, tidying up some of the paths. For anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to visit, I would highly recommend it. Pulling into the car park, the views were spectacular: the light haze, flurries of wind, and drifting shadows of clouds created a rich palette of blues over the sea; and where the sun touched the water, a glistening like molten silver. We paused for a moment just to look, and Phill turned to me, “gosh this job is a hardship.”
The week began, however, a little less picturesque, as I found myself once again in a ditch. This time (for the first time) it was in fact intentional. We were tasked with clearing silt away from one of the sluice pipes used for adjusting the water levels on the reserve. It is particularly important this time of year, when the summer heat dries out the ground, to be able to lower the water levels and expose the mud that provides a vital food source for the young waders on the reserve.
Speaking of which... after watching a carrion crow take away a chick sized dinner last week, we have been anxiously searching for the full desert of lapwings on Powderham marsh. As of Wednesday we were at 15 chicks (one less than at previous counts). On a positive note, we have been seeing a lot of wing stretching and practice flapping and don’t expect it will be long before they fledge!
Early this week, Andrew, Phill, Chris and I arrived at Bowling Green with a mission: to dig up a behemoth of a tree stump (to a first timer it looked that was anyway...) Sheltering in the hide from the sideways driving rain, we donned waterproofs. When asked if we planned on getting wet, we replied “muddy”, with promises that there would be no noisy machinery involved, just our own huffing, puffing and muted cussing. We unloaded the tools (which comprised of half the workshop) and picked our weapon of choice. Attacking the ground we found surprisingly quick leverage and, with a little persuasion, much to the astonishment of ourselves and onlookers, we succeed in tipping it over in no time at all. Suddenly we noticed a nest if mice, whose home we had brutally upturned. With guidance from James (Devon and Cornwall reserves area manager) and Steve (Devon visitor experience manager) we placed sticks to protect them, rescued one that, eyes still closed, had wandered into the grass, and carefully lowered the stump back. Ten minutes later we were sat at the picnic benches, blossom falling gently around us, enjoying the warmth of the sun as it filtered through the clouds. Although we didn’t finish the job we intended, it seemed very fitting to me; this is, after all, what the rspb is about – giving nature a home.
Until next time!
Laura