Guest blog by Adam Rowlands, Senior Sites Manager, North Suffolk Reserves
[This was originally written as a thank to you our amazing volunteers, but nicely summarises what an amazing year we've had - Ed]
As time creeps forward to the winter equinox it feels like the ideal time to reflect on the events of the last year. This time last year we were up to our knees in mud and on several occasions diggers were up to their cabs in water as we attempted to construct a new fence around the Scrape. The fence had originated in response to the confirmation that badgers had become a significant predator of nests on the Scrape – one of the many revelations of BBC Springwatch 2014.
In the New Year we embarked on catching nine badgers from three setts on the reserve and fitting radio collars to them. We couldn’t have done this without the assistance of Jen Smart from the RSPB Conservation Science, Dawn Scott from Brighton University, Adrian Hinchcliffe from the Suffolk Mammal Group and a great deal of support from RSPB and Mammal Group volunteers. The exercise to catch and fit the collars went very successfully and the data collected has greatly improved our understanding of the badgers at Minsmere and their behaviour.
By February it was questionable as to whether the fence would be completed, but Annette and Robin’s determined nature ensured that the task was completed in time for the breeding season. And what a breeding season it was. Avocets had their most successful season for nearly 30 years. Parties of redshank, lapwing and oystercatcher chicks confirmed that they had done well. The number of booming and nesting bittern increased to the highest levels in 40 years and stone curlew bounced back producing an increase in young raised per pair compared with recent summers.
Avocet chick by David Tipling (rspb-images.com)
The Springwatch cameras celebrated some of these successes and highlighted the value of the fence and the work we had undertaken. The programmes were once again well-received by the viewing public, with up to 2.7 million people tuning in, and one particular stickleback developed a national following.
The interest generated by the television programmes brought in more visitors to the site, with numbers 10% up on the tremendous increase we saw last year. And these visitors were treated to great wildlife encounters throughout the year. Not least the albatross that most of the staff are trying desperately to forget - apart from Ian our Estate Worker who was fortunate enough to find it. Settling briefly amongst the mute swans behind South hide in mid-July, this remains one of the most amazing ornithological encounters ever experienced on the reserve. The hope is that it decides to do the decent thing and return in 2016, but linger long enough to give us the chance to enjoy it!
As the days drew shorter, attention turned to the major habitat management works of the winter. Our annual reedbed cutting and ditch maintenance have been augmented this year with reedbed lowering (so we are back up to our knees in mud), freshwater reservoir creation on the Scrape and the removal of trees to restore up to 40 hectares of heathland. The air is full with the sound of diggers digging, brushcutters cutting and chainsaws felling. [Don't let this put you off visiting though, as disturbance to the wildlife is minimal - ed]These projects will provide fantastic habitat in the years to come and ensure that the breeding successes of this season are maintained and exceeded in future seasons.
All of this could not happen without the tremendous effort of a great number of staff and volunteers. Whether it is managing the big projects, showing visitors’ wildlife, monitoring species, cleaning and checking the visitor trails and facilities, providing administrative support, joining new members or providing a warm welcome, cake and retail therapy – everyone of you do a great job to provide the premier experience for nature and wildlife watching that is Minsmere. Thank you for all your efforts this year and let’s make sure that 2016 is even better!
Minsmere's famous scones and bread pudding (photo by Ian Barthorpe)