If you have visited the reserve recently you will probably have noticed the beginnings of our project to create a new raised dipping pond next to the Visitor Centre, sited by the two bug hotels. Work began on 20 and 22 August, when the work party strimmed and cleared an area for it to go (carefully checking for wildlife as they progressed). You can see the results of their hard work that week in the photos below, taken on 23 August: Caption: The cleared area behind the bug hotels is where the new pond will go. Photo by Heidi Jones Caption: What will be the access path to the finished pond. Photo by Heidi Jones Caption: There will also be access via the picnic benches to the side of the Visitor Centre. Photo by Heidi JonesThen, on 2 September, a mini-digger was hired for the day to dig out a rough space where we intend to build the pond. This saved an awful lot of time and sore backs! The pond will eventually measure 8.4 metres wide by 4.4 metres from front to back, so a rectangle. Two of the sides (the front and left-hand side, as well as the base, need to be constructed of concrete which is arriving tomorrow (6 September). It will be poured into the mould you can see in the photos below- this has been constructed by today's work party volunteers (5 September) and it will allow the concrete time to set into the correct shape. We will then cover it with tarpaulin for a week or two before we can continue working on it, to allow it to cure (set and dry properly). You will notice we only have a mould for two of the sides- this is because the rear and right-hand side of the rectangle will be the bank of soil and vegetation itself- we don't need to build it. Advantages to this strategy include not only saving money but creating a gradient in water depth and an access point for non-flying wildlife (such as hedgehogs, newts and plants) to colonise the new pond or to make use of it as a source of water. It will be filled with diverted rainwater that falls onto the roof of the Visitor Centre, so it's good timing that we are building it in Autumn! Here are some photos taken today (5 September) of progress so far: Caption: Volunteers Jane and Roger spent the morning oiling the boards to line the trench for tomorrow's concrete pour- so that they have some weather protection in the years ahead. Photo by Heidi Jones Caption: Wardens Henry and Haydn hard at work in the trench! Photo by Heidi Jones Caption: Henry, Tony and warden Katherine helping to secure the trench. The pond is so heavy that such deep footings are needed to keep it stable in our soft peaty soil! Photo by Heidi Jones Caption: The cleared gateway (previously disused) from our staff car park which came in very useful as an access point for the mini-digger on 2 September. Photo by Heidi JonesWildlife SightingsElsewhere on the reserve, we are still getting good numbers of Great White Egrets and Little Egrets on the Washland, as well as a few more ducks such as Teal, Gadwall and Shelduck. A party of four Raven flew over Cowles Drove and were spotted by our warden Henry yesterday (4 September) and with their numbers slowly increasing in East Anglia this could well be a family with fledglings from this year- as the adults are largely solitary, or hang around in pairs. You can still spot the odd Hobby on the reserve, hunting some of the countless Migrant Hawkers, Ruddy Darters and Brown Hawkers that pepper the air along the trails. There are also good numbers of Emperor Dragonfly around, and Willow Emerald Damselflies show well on warm, calmer days. We are seeing quite a few groups of House Martin and Sand Martin passing over the reserve, often feeding quite high up. They give the impression that they are not stopping- often, five minutes later they are gone, presumably on a slow migration southwards, stopping off to feed when they find a good location.Mere Hide continues to give good sightings of Kingfisher, especially in the mornings, and a surprise Great White Egret there on 1 September delighted visitor Diane Ashton who took some wonderful photos which we have shared on our Facebook page here. We also get regular visits, again mainly in the morning, from a Kingfisher at the Visitor Centre pond, and we had a few records last weekend from the riverbank too. As always, if you have any questions about the reserve or you wish to get in touch with us, please telephone 01842 863400, e-mail us at lakenheath@rspb.org.uk or pop in and see us.By Heidi Jones (Visitor Experience Officer, RSPB Lakenheath Fen).