Working with our farmer, cattle were turned out on to Aveley Marsh yesterday.
Cattle grazing is an important way to manage the marshes, benefitting the habitats and species that are found on the reserve. It's especially important for key breeding birds like lapwing, redshank and skylark. Mid April is the typical time that we undertake turnout most years.
This year, enabling this on the reserve takes on extra significance, as its an important part of the national effort around food and farming.
Last week, when on site, Jamie our warden had found two lapwing nests along an access track. When I was on site for the cattle turnout yesterday, I noticed that one of these nests, with four eggs, had started to hatch.
They were in a precarious position, with tractors passing overhead - but by keeping an eye on things, I was able to ensure the nests were avoided, and the chick that had now emerged from its egg stayed put and was unharmed.
And below a slightly different view of how the reserve looks currently - in fact taken just alongside the nest above, this will be the view this lapwing chick got as it hatched...