Following on from our previous blog posts, the continuing theme is still the extreme weather conditions; strong winds, high tides and storm surges causing severe flooding. Large areas of the UK have been affected by the flooding now and it seems there is more inclement weather forecast for this weekend.
The storm surges are caused by areas of low pressure out at sea effectively ‘pulling’ the water level up 1cm for every 1 millibar change in pressure. This, combined with strong winds and high tidal conditions pushes sea water over flood defences and sea walls, causing the damage we’ve seen at Bowling Green Marsh. The viewing platform is closed until conditions subside and it is made safe again.
It’s not all bad news here at Exminster Marshes though, although our fields are pretty waterlogged here too(!), as we’ve still been able to carry out all the great work that means we are giving nature a home. Our weekly work schedule only changes in the most extreme of conditions here, which only means we deserve a cup of tea at the end of the day even more!
Monday morning usually involves checking over the reserve car parks, footpaths and public areas to assess any potential damage done over the weekend by the water and to remove any litter washed onto the reserve.
We also fill up the cirl bunting feeders while monitoring them and were treated to the lovely sight of a male and two females using the birdseed platform. The feeders were specially built to give the rare bunting species food. Once on the edge of extinction, now breeding in Devon and Cornwall thanks to the work of RSPB. It really makes me feel that our work here is worthwhile when a trip out to Powderham will almost guarantee a good view of the cirls, come and have a look for yourself.
Tuesday and Wednesday were very wet days, as we continued to install the predator fence infrastructure. Strong winds and heavy rain meant we felt as if we’d done twice as much work as we actually had! This time the solar panels and batteries went in, adding to our increasing sense of completion and not only being able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but knowing we are very nearly out of it. We did at one point have to retreat to the office to shelter!
Thursday was our volunteer work party day, not perturbed by the prospect of yet more poor weather, we were out in full force and even managed to enjoy quite a bit of sunshine between the showers. We spent the day clearing scrub from the car park and generally giving the place a tidy up. Thank you to everyone who came.
Today is again, a very wet day and as I sit here looking out of the office window with a big cup of tea, we are weighing up the possibility of going out this afternoon to carry on with the fence while doing some much needed office and workshop work. There is never a dull day here at Exminster, or a day without a cup of tea.
Daniel Mason, Long-term Residential Volunteer