This blog was written by Dan, residential volunteer at RSPB West Sedgemoor, Greylake, and Swell Wood

Yo, how’s it going guys :) Hope you’ve all been enjoying the recent rejuvenation of our blog forum. I’ve been a resi-vol here at West Sedgemoor since April last year and haven’t written a blog yet… I know, I know. I’m very sorry but what can I say, I much prefer working outside than sitting in the office writing one ;) but here I am doing it as we’ve decided to make a better effort informing you lot about recent happenings.  

I can imagine our upcoming blogs will be designated to more specific tasks so I thought I’d do a bit of a ‘year in review’ blurt, especially as I have been here for so long now. When I started, I joined a team that included former resi-vols Nick and Josh with both estate workers also starting at the same time. So it was a fun experience getting to know everyone during the height of breeding season. Some of the early work included finding and fencing curlew nests, a real privilege to be a part of.  

[The gang racing against the clock] 

Breeding wader surveys were also an exciting job although I’m not sure you could necessarily call it a job; Walking through fields and identifying the likes of Snipe, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warblers, and Yellow Wagtails was definitely more of a hobby. Early wake-ups meant beautiful views of sunrises but the morning dew often collected in the bottom of your wellies (That might have just been me though, having not worn waterproof over-trousers one time). Some of the moments I was able to capture both mentally and through my phone camera were simply phenomenal: 

Post-breeding season gave way to habitat management and boundary maintenance work. As you all probably know, cattle are needed to graze West Sedgemoor’s luscious fields in order to maintain suitable habitats for the breeding waders. Moving a herd of cows was quite extraordinary on the peaty plains: the ground visibly wobbling and waving like a bowl of custard.  

Tractors were useful bits of kit during this time as they were mostly used for topping, mowing, and hay bobbing; processes which go hand-in-hand with grazing cattle in creating adequate habitat. They were also an efficient asset to have on hand for any estate work including doing this: 

Instead of this: 

The heatwave of 2022 came and went overseeing projects such as the re-woven willow screen at Greylake and the snail labyrinth at Swell Wood. It was also the period in which both other resi-vols fledged their home here in Somerset for pastures new leaving myself to endure the summer and autumn alone (part of the reason I never had time to write a blog!). Wetter weather and shorter days eventually lead to the removal of the cows from the reserve leaving everyone free to begin the winter work program. Scrub clearing, coppicing, and hedge laying were all big jobs to get stuck into. It was also the time new resi-vol Lilli joined and seemingly bringing some luck with her as a juvenile Sea Eagle visited the reserve days after her arrival.  

[How can you not try and capture it, right?] 

Sadly though, it didn’t have much to feed on as the cold snap also passed through. Inch-thick ice pushed away all the usual waders and wildlfowl, as well as covering any open bodies of water. This made for some pretty chilly working conditions with some of the team wearing 3 pairs of gloves and socks!  

Everyone took a break for the winter holidays, myself travelling home to Carmarthen in South Wales, before resuming work in a seemingly ‘new year, new me’ Somerset. The Levels had substantially changed over the 2 weeks with heavy flooding encapsulating the landscape. The New Year also brought with it a new resi-vol in the form of Kerry (finally a full house again!). An extra pair of hands meant more time for other jobs including blog writing. Which brings us nicely round in a full circle to close off the year and this post.  

I hope you enjoyed this brief catchup on West Sedgemoor’s happenings and I will likely talk to you soon in a future blog post. Keep an eye out for next week’s blog which may or may not be written by our Assistant Warden 

All Images From Myself