In nature the winter months can bring a sense of stillness, hibernation, the natural world slowing down, readying itself for the surge of life and energy as a new Spring approach. Imbolc is the Celtic celebration or marking of the year celebrated on 1st February,, when Spring is not with us but there are stirrings afoot. Shoots pushing through, bird song beginning to fill the morning air and the days beginning to stretch. Time to plan and clear.
Out on the reserve this is the time of year when preparations, catching up on work getting the habitats the best they can be for the wildlife that relies on them is sometimes at it’s most frantic. Our Tuesday volunteers along with the Wardens have made the most of wrapping up and heading outside, whatever the weather and a huge amount of management work has been done so far.
Just before the Christmas break willow clearance and adding in a new pipe sluice on the Saltings loop means that we now have better control over the water levels in the Marian Mawr pools, helping to attract many ducks and waders. With the ditches cleared ready for many pond dipping adventures to come, looking for sticklebacks and water scorpions.
Holly clearance through the oak woods has opened up many more areas perfect for the Pied Flycatchers to find their food and feed their broods when they return from Africa in April and May. The woods are also benefiting from the grazing attentions of our cattle too, attacking the dense bramble and opening up the woodland floor.
With National Nest Box week coning up, now is the time of year when all of our 350 plus nest boxes get a checked, any old nest removed, and any repairs done. This year we have also been taking a GPS record for each box linking it in to our maps ready for the survey season in a couple of months’ time.
Out on the wetlands, when and where possible, Tom has been giving the rush in the fields one last cut in preparation for the wader breeding season. Soon the skies will be filled with the call and flights of lapwings, redshanks and skylark.
For now though the pools and saltmarsh still have many of our winter visitors, teal, wigeon, goldeneye and a small group of Greenland white fronted geese. Hen harrier and marsh harrier flying over regularly and Barn owl out at dusk.
Reserve is open 7 days a week with the Visitor Centre currently open 10am-4pm Wednesday – Sunday.