Elmley Update – early June 2014

Now is the time …

• The majority of the Spring migrants are here
• Breeding season is at least two weeks early this year and our independent surveys look to give promising figures for this year.   Nearly all the lapwings have fledged.  Avocets are doing well despite the large numbers of black-headed gulls pestering.  Redshank chicks are abundant.
• With the warmer weather insect activity is increasing. Butterflies include Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral. A good variety of Bumblebee.  Damselflies are now common amongst the reed and dragonflies are beginning to appear in greater numbers.
• Marsh frogs are now very vocal and grass snakes and common lizard can often be seen
• Our Hares are performing well with developing leverets and juveniles to be seen. 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
• On the farming calendar: All the cows have now returned with their young calves at foot.  Bulls have rejoined the cows and will be here for 12 weeks.   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 conservation objectives.
• 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.
• Please do not remove the fly screens from the toilets. They do not restrict  the nesting swallows but they do make our lives easier in keeping the toilet block clean for you