Hello everyone!
This will be my final blog from Exe Estuary Reserves, as I move onto pastures new in 2016. True to form, the south-west has given me a fantastic send-off with some brilliant bird sightings on the reserves this week:
Last Friday Tom and I all but trod on a Short-Eared Owl as we attended to the outflow pipe on the lagoon. More astonishing is the fact that we must have walked passed it minutes before, as we were on our way back when it flew out from beneath our feet. Goldcrest are everywhere you turn on the reserves at the moment, chirruping cheerfully and feeding unconcerned with the avid observers stood not a meter away. Over the weekend former residential volunteers Jay, Phill and I went to Bowling Green and the Goat walk to see the Avocet on the estuary. They were out in their hundreds and we thoroughly enjoyed watching the nuances of their feeding, the little shake of the head as they sift the mud for tasty insects, worms and crustaceans. We were also fortunate enough to spot the American Wigeon that, having been blown a little off course, has been hanging around with its European cousins in the field between Bowling Green Hide and the Viewing Platform.
Earlier this week I was entrusted with the high tide count on Exminster Marsh; quite a challenge given the numbers, particularly on the canal side of the Marsh. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed getting out with a scope and was pleased to see many Pintail, Bar-Tailed Godwit and a Grey Wagtail. I was somewhat less enthusiastic to see the fox that, bounding merrily through the fields, successfully flushed up every duck, goose and wader on the site, just as I reached the count of 799 Wigeon.
Tom and I were kindly invited to join our colleagues and their work party at the beautiful RSPB Aylesbeare reserve this week. We spent the day clearing scrub from the heath and were treated at lunchtime with roast potatoes from the bonfire, hot stew and more cake than we could eat (and that is saying something).
Our own work party returned to Labrador Bay this week to continue scrub clearance on our favourite muddy slope. We also had some guests join our group, as Labrador Bay’s Dartmoor ponies came to investigate our activities (and whether or not we were carrying pony nuts); the ponies were, however, distinctly less curious when we brought out our machinery. The heavy rain on Thursday may have doused the fire, but it didn’t dampen the spirits our fantastic work party. With yet more cake to fuel the day’s work we made great progress, so once again, a big thank-you to them for their tireless dedication and enthusiasm. As if reward for our efforts, at the end of the day the rain cleared and we were treated to a breathtaking sunset; we all paused for a moment to enjoy the stunning view across Labrador bay and the south-west coast before piling, once more, into the truck.
If you have been to Exminster Marsh recently, you may have noticed that the lagoon looks a bit different these days. The water level is now significantly higher than previously - to which Tom can attest after taking a brief dip. We have now finished pumping water in to the lagoon, and having fitting a flow meter, we have an accurate idea of how much water we added; the test will be if levels hold over Christmas holiday.
You may also have noticed changes in our signage on the gates around Exminster Marsh. We recently started replacing the tired old ones with some rather smart looking new ones, indicating the sensitive areas of the reserve. This comes as part of the mitigation works for the new housing development in the area, which will continue in the New Year with the installation of new viewing screens along Turf Path.
This week has without a doubt been tinged with sadness, but overwhelming is my feeling of gratitude to all those who have helped make my time here so enjoyable. So let me say a final thank-you to my housemates and fellow residential volunteers: Andrew, Jay and Phill, for all the laughs, lazy weekends, tesco runs and exhausted evenings collapsed on the sofa (sometimes snoozing); for the bad television, the terrible television, the cooked breakfasts at lunch time and the myriad cups of tea.
To the office team, Andrea, Sammy and Nicky, for always greeting us with a smile at the end of the day (and never commenting on how muddy and windswept we look); for showing me the ropes in the office (and how to use the printer).
To Pete, for his dedication to the instruction and development of us residential volunteers; for the 8am disco music and boundless energy and enthusiasm, and for the memory of the onesie goose costume.
To Tom, for his endless patience with city-soft newbies, who arrive not knowing which end of the hammer to swing; for being a great teacher (often repeating lessons for me) and for keeping a straight face when our posts really aren’t.
But let’s not forget what it is all about: it is the shared passion for nature and for protecting our environment that has brought us together. I come away from my time as a residential volunteer enamoured with the natural world around me, a childlike curiosity rekindled, which with nurture, I hope, will never fade.
I hope you all have a fantastic festive season; if you are struggling for last minute gifts, or are out of ideas, try the RSPB shop at Darts Farm and give a gift to nature at the same time. If you fancy getting out over the holidays, the Avocet cruises are running through till February, and there are a couple of events this weekend, including crafts and festive fun at Darts Farm and Bowling Green Hide and a live performance from the Topsham Birds Choir - for more information check out the events page on the RSPB website. Alternatively, why not get out for a walk on the one of the beautiful Exe Estuary reserves and see the amazing spectacles that nature has to offer.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Laura