Duck and cover

Next time you approach the hide overlooking Moore Lake, take a moment to admire the new living willow screen on your right:

Volunteer work party

The screen is designed to grow over time to conceal people approaching the hide, so that the birds on Moore Lake don't take off in alarm as you go up the ramp and you can then enjoy closer views of them from the hide windows.

It was created by assistant warden Andy and volunteers during one of the regular work parties we hold here. The team cut the willow rods from elsewhere on the reserve and chose a variety which is particularly pliable and good for weaving. It's the same variety that volunteer Alan uses in our occasional public willow weaving workshops, in fact - look out for another of these events coming soon, probably in February.

If all goes well, the rods forming the screen will start to establish themselves next year and grow some new leaves. From the following year they'll start to bush out a bit and eventually produce more substantial growth which we can weave in to form a thicker barrier.

It was definitely a case of many hands make light work. Volunteers carry out much of the habitat management and maintenance work around the reserve, which would be impossible without their support due to the sheer amount there is to do - as always, a huge thank you.

Interested in volunteering on future work parties? We're a friendly bunch and with everyone mucking in we get a lot done to help give nature a home at Fen Drayton Lakes - have a look here for more info.