by Jenny Parker, Warden for the RSPB Cornwall Reserves
We had a fun day on 16th January working with volunteers from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust (CWT). The CWT team visited RSPB Marazion Marsh for a guided walk at Christmas and today they returned to help volunteers from the RSPB manage the habitat.
Every January, we hire a reed cutting machine to clear the reeds from the ditches. This is essential work providing the perfect conditions fo...r special wetland species like bittern and reed warbler, but this process does create a huge amount of waste that must be removed from the nature reserve.
The CWT volunteers worked hard all day piling the reeds into stooks to dry in the wind so that they can be burnt at a later date. It was the first time the RSPB and the Cornwall Wildlife Trust have worked together to carry out habitat work, but we all agreed to make it an annual event. It was a real pleasure to spend the day with such an enthusiastic group and we can’t wait for the next one