The terns have now gone back to Africa and the weeds have grown on the islands. Time to remove all the vegetation - lots of mayweed, redshank and hemlock.
As can be seen in the photo the hemlock has grown very tall having been fertilised by the roosting geese. However, the centre of the island was washed in the spring and new cockle shell laid so remained quite clear during the breeding season.
Adam, our new assistant warden, and volunteer Ian have made good progress as can be seen by looking the other way back to the hide.
The job has not been finished, and again the island will need to be cleaned in the spring after the birds has roosted over winter.
At the same time Brian was on the wet grassland beyond Paddy's Pool with our ATV cutting the thistle to give an unimpeded view from Paddy's Pool Hide.