If you’ve been up to the Joist Fen North viewpoint over the past few days you’ll see that we’ve been hard at work there. Last Thursday morning our volunteer work party headed up to the viewpoint armed with two types of brushcutter, rakes and forks aplenty. The reeds between the viewpoint and the water were quickly dropped and Dave then ventured into the pool with the underwater brushcutter. Those with wellies stayed on dry(ish) land tidying up in Dave’s wake while volunteer Karen and I made our way out into the water after Dave, with our waders on.
Photo credit: Phil Hammond – Paddling in Joist Fen North
Making your way out into the water takes long than you might think – the underwater topography of the pools and ditches here is certainly not smooth and level. One minute you’ll be walking along an underwater ridge and the next minute it disappears. The diverse topography is great for things like aquatic plants, invertebrates and fish as it provides the varied places to put down root, hide and breed. It’s not quite so great for people trying to stay dry while raking in the middle of the pool! It does help when you use your rake or fork to feel your way out though. I think Karen managed to stay the driest while Dave and I succumbed to at least one wet leg each!
Photo credit: Phil Hammond – Hard work at Joist Fen North
Huge piles of reeds have been raked up at the viewpoint and the view has certainly been improved. The aim is to get back out there this week to finish it off, which will include strimming out the raised ground at the back of the pool. This will provide nice muddy damp banks with shallow waters and potentially encourage birds and other wildlife into view while they feed on invertebrates in the soil. A green sandpiper has been regularly seen further down in Joist Fen reedbed, on an area of exposed mud exactly the same as what we're aiming for in front of the viewpoint. Fingers crossed it will be obliging and move locations when the new mud is exposed!
After the hard raking work in the morning the volunteers had a slightly easier afternoon in the workshop, forming a sign-making production line. We now have enough sign boards ready for the Race for Wildlife in a couple of weeks time, to guide our runners around the reserve. There is still time to register if you are interested in taking part! The registration form is attached below, completed forms and any questions should be emailed to: lakenheath@rspb.org.uk. Why not take on the challenge!
Dave is back out again with the underwater brushcutter as I type, this time continuing work around the visitor centre pool. We still need to spend a few hours out there tackling the new reed growth and this will include the use of our boat at some point. Hopefully we'll get round to this fairly soon.
Photo credit: Ali Blaney – Dave cutting around the visitor centre pool
Although the fish are still jumping while Dave makes a noise, I think it’s safe to say our resident visitor centre kingfisher will be lying low until he’s finished. The wildlife further down the reserve is having a much more peaceful day and visitors have seen marsh harriers, two cranes and at least one hobby is still hanging around. We even had a hobby fly right over us out the front of the visitor centre yesterday. Reports of redwing have started with 12 seen yesterday in West Wood, the furthest poplar wood. It's still warm outside at the moment but I think things are all set to change over the next couple of days. The winds will be swinging round and by Friday will be coming from the north-east and staying that way for a good few days (if you trust the long term forecast that is!) - I think it's highly likely more than 12 redwing will be seen next week!