Brambles laden with blackberries, small pockets of morning mist hanging over the water, large droplets of dew clinging on to the grass until mid morning and a small group of avocets in the high tide roost at Bowling Green Marsh are all signs that autumn is here. As we walk through the marsh at this time of year jack snipe rise silent from their muddy pools and teal nervously chatter as new arrivals they hide in amongst the wetland vegetation. It has been a poor year for dragonflies and butterflies but some can still be seen making the most of the sunny intervals, grabbing a sheltered spot to soak up the warmth.
As I write this we are amidst some of the worst September storms known, bringing cold temperatures and dramatic rainfall. I felt fortunate that the south west was the first port of call as the weather gained momentum as it moved north. But hours of persistent heavy rain have sent the marsh into flood and I am amazed that we have managed to achieve any management works at all. It has been purely down to determination, constant juggling and flexibility as we pit our wits against the good old British weather.
Somehow we have managed to cut and remove 40 hectares of vegetation, somewhat short of the 100 hectares we had planned. However by focusing on the priority areas we have tried to minimise the effect that this will have on the wildlife, but we are left with little choice as the damage we would cause would be far more detrimental. Unless the weather changes dramatically it is hard to see that we will be able to do any further work of this type, particularly as we will soon be required to maintain higher water levels ready for the winter birds.