August was quite a dry warm month in Essex, although, a bit to our surprise, there were still some lovely areas lying wet. This combined with the warm weather made it a good spell for dragonflies and damselflies. We normally let the water levels evaporate naturally as well as allowing our wind pumps on Bowers Marsh and West Canvey Marshes to help lower the water levels in the reservoir. This water is pumped out and keeps the ditches topped up through the dryer months – our water voles like it that way!
Aerial photo of Bowers Marsh
This lowering of the water levels across the site in late summer should provide good conditions for Autumn’s passage migrant birds, however during the first half of September we had some torrential rain and this has topped the reserves up a bit. As a result, it is unlikely the freshwater lagoon on Vange Marsh will dry out this year as was planned in order for us to manage the vegetation, so it looks like the reserve team will be donning the waders once more!
They wouldn’t have it any other way…
Steven Roach – Warden, South Essex