Surface water on the South Essex reserves has begun to evaporate over the last few months. The sheer amount of rainfall over the winter has meant that the pools and logoon’s on West Canvey, Vange and Bowers Marshes will stay at favorable levels throughout the coming breeding bird season and a few lapwing and, in greater numbers, avocets are being seen pairing up across the reserves. However, such was the extent of the rainfall we all endured over the winter, it has been challenging to pump water off Pitsea Scrape which means it is unlikely that we will be able expose enough islands in time for breeding birds.
Lapwing by Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
It is a good thing then that the water levels and habitats on Bowers Marsh are looking so fantastic at the moment and that there is plenty more habitat available for these species to breed and thrive across the South Essex reserves.
Steven Roach - RSPB South Essex Warden