The New Year has seen the commencement of reed cutting on Radipole Lake which comprises a major component of our winter habitat management on the reserve. Reed is cut rotationally which provides manifold benefits to the sites biodiversity. Conservation reed cutting provides differing age structures within the fabric of the reed which provides the niche requirements of reed dwellers. An added benifit is that by removing the arisings and organic build up at bed level we are slowing the natural drying out processes, thus slowing 'succession' from reed to willow carr.
Rather than the long rotation conservation cut described above, this year we have commenced with a ‘single wale’ (annual) cut which provides strong, commercially viable thatch. This reed we will use to create screens to allow us to survey birds in Radipole's recently restored ditches. Until spring provides new marginal reed growth, these areas are quite exposed meaning that any surveying would otherwise cause a needless disterbance.
Although at times reed cutting can be quite arduous (not least when the water levels are up and the temperature down!) there is a great sense of satisfaction in knowing that it is provides untold ecological benefits to the site. It is nice also to be involved in a centuries old tradition - a feeling only slightly diminished by the sound of the brushcutter cranking out 12,000 rpm!
The below pictures demonstrate the processes involved; brush cutting, ‘cleaning’, bundling and fastening.
Three dozen reed sheaf - a good mornings toil!
My virility and reed bundling technique brought into question… all fair comment no doubt!