Hello all
Well today (Friday 22/1/16) is the last day for the contractors to be working on site cutting the lagoon banks. But that does not mean the work is over! However it does mean that the paths will be open again ready for the weekend, with just a note of warning that the weather outlook is not great for today (rain), so this may mean there is a bit of mud on the track over the weekend. Our volunteers will continue to work on this project over the next couple of weeks work parties, on Tuesday's and Thursday's, to clear some of the trees from the bank but also have a good tidy up of the banks and the paths if needed (paths will remain open for this work).
The removal of the dense bramble and larger hawthorns and sallows is an essential part of the maintenance of the site to ensure we get a much more diverse and low sward along the lagoon banks, which is much more attractive to wildfowl, especially for breeding. Some of the work may look a bit harsh especially when you see trees and bushes cut with the flayel, however we will be working over the next few weeks to coppice or pollard the majority of these trees, so if you bare with us a few more weeks it will all look much better. And in a few months there will be some lovely fresh spring growth all along the banks.
As they are so good at multi tasking the volunteer work party on Tuesday 26 January will also be working once again on the fence to the Tern and Gadwall hide, so there will be no access to these hides for the day.
The HMWT are also having some work done on site through out February, which i have listed below
1 February the roof is being replaced on the cattle shelter on the meadow
2 February the roof is being replaced on the Warbler hide, so the hide will be closed this day
3 February the roof of the Otter is being replaced, so there will be no access to this hide for the day.
Following on from this the ramp leading up to the Warbler hide is going to be replaced. This is a 3 week job, so there will be no access to the Warbler hide for this time. However we do not have definite dates for this project yet, but will let you know when we do.
Thanks
Vicky