They spring work has continued apace over the last week around the car park and wildlife garden and with birds already nesting it is good that all the big (but still non-invasive) jobs have been completed.
The first laid hedge that Pat was helping face up (removing side growth) has been completed on the inner car bay side and is looking great. This will help it thicken up even more.
Look! There are posts!
The meadow on the other side of the hedge needed its hair cut and Ian very kindly used the reciprocating mower to scythe through the rank grass, encroaching Reed and pernicious Blackthorn suckers.
Tough work but Ian loves it...
Pete and Pat have subsequently raked up all the dead material and added it to the enormous hibernaculum of grass at the back of the car park which I am sure the local small rodents and Grass Snakes will love!
Pat raking
This then allowed me to get in there this morning and face up this side of the hedge which is looking very good with plenty of secondary and tertiary growth springing from the original pleaches.
All cleared and faced up...
All three hedges are now in fine shape for the year ahead.
Just some tidying of the orchard and we shall be good to go through to the autumn with just the every present weeding and mowing to keep up with along with a bit of tinkering here and there!
And to lure you in this weekend here are the compreshensive sightings from today form Sam and Bill...
RSPB Rainham Marshes: 74m Cetti's Warbler, 15m Chiffchaff, 314 Shoveler, 13 Mute Swan, 7m Blackcap, 45 Tufted Duck, 8 Little Grebe, 62 Shelduck, 32 Pochard, 4 Great Crested Grebe, Water Rail, 101 Gadwall, 113 Teal, 266 Wigeon, 3 Little Egret, 2m,3f Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, 18 Buzzard thru, Avocet, 2 Curlew, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Little Ringed Plover, Ruff, 40 black tailed godwit, 22 Snipe, 6 Pintail, 3f Sparrowhawk, Rook, Sedge Warbler, Water Pipit, f Peregrine, 3 Bearded Tit,
oh and lots of butterflies too including the first Orange Tips