June Newsletter

Farming and Land Management

Well, we have had some rain and its a little warmer so our breeding waders and their chicks have had a pretty good May all things considering. The breeding wader surveys are looking good and many Lapwing chicks are well feathered and already testing their wings. Fingers crossed June is kind to the fledglings and those later starting Redshank chicks. Our Avocets, Ringed Plover, Yellow Wagtails and Skylarks all look to be doing well too.

Our cows and calves have now been joined by the bulls. Do take care on the entry road and please do ask visitors not to leave their cars before reaching the car park for their own safety! You will have also noticed the bare soil along the bottom of the meadows as you drive in. As it is now a little warmer we have sown our new bird seed and nectar mixes. Conditions have not been kind but with a little rain next week and a warm June we should see some signs of the sunflowers, buckwheat and sainfoin along the road side this year and behind that kale, chicory, quinoa, fodder radish, camelina and sweet clover for the next three years. Fingers crossed they will be providing food for lots of linnets next winter and plenty of cover for hares and grey partridge.

Oak Tree Barn Owls

Our regular pair of Barn Owls appear to have re-occupied the Little Owl box in the oak trees (after it was thoroughly cleaned out!!). Once they start showing regularly we will be in touch to organise a Barn Owl night for the Friends. Email to come shortly, hopefully.

Other Bits

We have given the toilets a coat of paint and refurbishment (particularly the ladies) which has been funded by visitor donations and Friends of Elmley subscriptions. We have also added some nest boxes at the front-thank you to Mike for those. You will also have noticed we have tweaked our logo. We needed something which had a little more life and fits with everything we do at Elmley. So some Friends at a local design agency have made us a new one, which we hope you like. But, it’s only a logo, we haven’t changed and neither has Elmley-all you’ll see are some overdue replacement signs around the Reserve over the next few weeks. The signs have been funded by the local Nature Improvement Area scheme so thanks to Greater Thames NIA!

Wildlife in June

Wildlife Highlights spotted this week. For the most recent bird sights see the Kent Ornithological Society website.

High Tide Times