Elmley Update – May 2015

Farming and Land Management

All efforts remain focused on maintaining the best conditions possible for the breeding season. The very dry, windy April has depleted our water levels making life more challenging for our wader parents. Numbers appear good at the moment and chicks are likely to be concentrated around remaining patches of wet mud. We are hoping for some mild wet weather this month! Sorry.

The Elmley herd are now largely out on the marsh and, despite the dry weather and slow grass growth, all are doing well. We will manage them in small groups whilst the numerous ground nesting birds are active to minimise trampling of nests. Yellow wagtails have brought some colour to the ‘green sea’ and can be spotted feeding around the cattle.

Spring

Many of our usual migrants have arrived over April and passage birds are making their pit-stops. The lucky will have spotted an osprey, whimbrel, wheatear, yellow wagtail and our most recent arrivals, four hobby.
Our water voles are also becoming regular show-offs along the ditch bank leading to Wellmarsh hide too.

Photography

For improving photographers there are the last couple of spots available on Robert Canis’s every popular Lightroom tuition workshop which includes sunset practical this summer