February Update

Winter Weather and Waders

The prolonged cold windy weather is proving to be hard on the wildlife and visitors alike!  Nonetheless, the Black-tailed Godwit are a real pleasure to enjoy marsh at the moment regardless of the weather – tagged individuals amongst them are confirmed as Icelandic by the UEA (thanks Richard!).  Signs of the Spring are starting to appear too, pairing Mallard are returning to their favourite Spring breeding ponds and Daffodils are showing well, the end is in sight!

Work on the Reserve

If you have visited recently you will have noticed some changes to the entrance to the Reserve. An old barn used by neighbours has been taken down before it fell and the surrounding cleared to allow marsh species to recolonise in the Spring. If you look closely there are also several new Barn and Little Owl boxes dotted around the remaining buildings of Straymarsh Farm.

The two flocks of Romney sheep have been pregnancy scanned with results of 190% and 170% which for this breed under extensive grazing conditions is very good. Do take extra care when passing them as they are now heavily pregnant ladies!

The seed strips which were sown three years ago are providing some vital mid-winter food for the small birds, more will be sown in the Spring so hopefully we’ll have sunflowers by June.

Staying at Elmley

Our shepherd’s huts, Vanellus, Samphire and Little Owl, continue to be very popular with visitors from near and far. Wood burners are being very well used and their ‘eco-wool’ insulation, made of recycled plastic bottles, has beaten off last weeks hard frosts to keep guests bird watching warm and cosy!

Photography workshops

Robert Canis will be holding more of his very popular Lightroom workshops at Elmley this summer – register your interest early as last year’s session sold out quickly.

Jodie Randall will be running more workshops focusing on capturing a perfect hare this Spring – available to book now and numbers are limited to 3 per day.