Elmley Update – April 2014

Now is the time

• We are an exposed site. Please be prepared with suitable footwear and clothing.
• The large flocks of wintering birds have dispersed. The spring migrants are on their way…
• Spring is starting?! Birds pairing up, displaying and nesting. It has the promise of a good season but time will tell…
• With the warmer weather insect activity is increasing. Butterflies include Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral
• Marsh frogs are now vocal and grass snakes and common lizard can often be seen
• Our Hares are performing well. Unfortunately this can attract the attention of certain ‘undesirables’. If you see any suspicious behaviour please report it immediately to us

Other reserve news

• We have erected 6 new ‘perching posts’ alongside the track between Kingshill Farm and Spitend. We hope you find them useful
• Due to storm damage the owl box in the Oak trees has been replaced – thanks to Mike Norman for the box. No pressure Mike but the old one lasted 20 years…thanks also for the Little Owl box which is in the adjacent Oak and occupied.
• The wild bird seed mix has done well. This provided food and cover for many birds over the winter. It is now coming into its second year and will hopefully also help with our re-establishment of the Grey Partridge. As a further aide the blue feeders you can see along the edge of the cover crop provide winter food for the partridge and other birds.
• We have also re-seeded another 1.1ha. One strip of autumn sown Wild Bird Seed Mix/One strip of Pollen and Nectar Mix for Bumblebee conservation.  Further information available atwww.kingscrops.co.uk
• On the farming calendar: The cows with their young calves ‘at foot’ are returning in small numbers. We carefully control the stocking density (numbers animals/hectare) according to the conditions of the pasture and above all to the nesting sensitivity of particular areas. This and water management is a fine balance to ensure optimum conditions to achieve our objectives.
• If you require any information regarding the management/history of the reserve etc please feel free to contact us.
• 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.

Sweet month thy pleasures bids thee be, The fairest child of Spring: And every hour, that comes with thee, Comes some new joy to bring