Here at Lakenheath Fen we’re continuing with our boardwalk construction. Our work party yesterday was highly productive, with almost twice the amount of sections put in compared to last week – the team is clearly getting the hang of it! The boardwalk was being appreciated by a lovely stonechat this morning, perched right at the end as if surveying the progress. The decking boards are being hammered into place and the boardwalk is slowly starting to snake it’s way along the edge of the reedbed to connect up with the stone path. We’re very lucky to have such a keen bunch of volunteers working with us on this – it’s hard work, especially using the drivall (or post-basher, as it's otherwise known!) to knock the upright posts into place.
Photo credit: Ali Blaney – the lengthening boardwalk at Lakenheath Fen
However, our neighbouring RSPB reserves in the region have not been so lucky recently. You may have already seen footage or photos of the destruction caused by the storm surge last week, particularly to RSPB Snettisham in Norfolk, RSPB Havergate Island and RSPB Dingle Marshes in Suffolk. Hides have been toppled and damaged, one is missing altogether. Pathways and boardwalks have been washed away or buckled and debris is everywhere.
More importantly, it’s not just infrastructure that has been damaged and destroyed – the salty sea water has breached defences and flooded freshwater reedbeds and marshes. This will affect the flora and fauna that make their homes in these habitats, from invertebrates to fish to birds. Insurance covers some of the cost to damaged hides but not the cost of repairing these important habitats. Because of this, the RSPB has set up an emergency storm appeal to try and raise funds to cover the estimated £300,000 cost of repairing the damaged reserves. If you’re able to help, please see the Storm Appeal webpage for details and THANK YOU!
We’ve been helping out our neighbours in a practical sense recently, last Thursday in fact. While the tidal surge hadn't yet happened, it was certainly stormy on our visit to RSPB Sutton Fen in the Norfolk Broads. The wind was incredibly strong and not what we needed for the task of the day. Katherine and I, armed with our brushcutters, joined with two others to cut a section of reed and fen vegetation. Four of our volunteers – Rob, Su, Nigel and Phil - joined Sutton Fen’s own volunteers and took on the challenge of raking up. I tried to take a photo that would show how difficult the conditions were but it doesn't do it justice - the angle of the reeds and the bent over volunteers hint at the strength of the wind a little bit though!
Photo credit: Ali Blaney – working in the wind at Sutton Fen
Once we had finished cutting we took up forks and joined the volunteers, just as the rains came. It was a battle even to stay upright on the uneven ground – once you lifted a forkful of cut reeds to carry over to a pile the wind tried to lift you off your feet! Needless to say, we were all completely exhausted by the end of the day. While making our way back to the barn at Sutton Fen, a gust of wind blew through that was so strong it nearly blew everyone over. I flew into Katherine and we all nearly ended up in a large ditch – I think if anyone had been standing nearer the edge then they would have had a very cold and wet finish to the day!
Clearing vegetation is always one of those satisfying tasks however and together we covered just over half a hectare of ground. We’ll look forward to the folk of Sutton Fen coming to return the favour during our next big task!