Elmley News – October 2014

Now is the time…

• No rain yet… The driest September on records (only 8mm received at Kingshill Farm in a month) has meant the marsh is very dry as October begins. The pasture growth has slowed so livestock have been spread out to make the grass last. Overall, it feels a little more like the August than October. Change is on the way!
• It has been the best year for whinchat at Elmley in living memory and wheatears have been passing through in good numbers. Lovely to see too!
• Unusual resident. Some of you will have noted the Kingfisher (or two) that has taken up residence near to the Predator fence gate. Keep an eye out for an iridescent flash across a ditch as you drive in.
• Clouded yellow butterflies have been a common sight along the trail to the hides and the last of the Dragonflies are making the most of a warm spell.
• Wildfowl numbers have begun to swell and the wildfowling season has pushed ducks in from the surrounding areas. Wader numbers have yet to build although there are some rarities about for the sharp eyed. We expect a cold spell in early October to accelerat the build-up of both wildfowl and waders.
• To volunteer. Several of our Friends have given their time to support our work. Thank you to them. If you would like to join in let us know – 07786 333331.

Other Reserve News…

• Our shepherd’s huts are proving popular, (particularly Little Owl with the view of the barn owls from bed!). Details are on the website or contact us for more information.
• On the farming calendar: October will see the calves weaned. This year the stockmen are trying a new technique to make the process of separating cow from calf in as stress less a way as possible. Please do give way should you see cattle being transported or a herd being moved.
• Land management: Attention will now turn to repair and maintenance of the myriad of pipes, fences and gateways. All efforts are on improvements at Spitend so you will see our excavator and tractors working across the marsh this month laying new pipe, fixing gateways and creating new habitat.
• Cover crops. It looks like there will be a plentiful supply of berries this winter. Our next supplementary cover crop will be sown next spring to provide sunflowers again next summer.
• To avoid inadvertent disturbance to roosting and feeding birds at Spitend please access the hides using the nature trails rather than going through the wooden gate and keep below the sea wall. Please note that there is no access to the reserve beyond Counterwall hide. Thank you.