The Trust held a very successful work party on 15 November. And despite apocalyptic warning of severe weather, nineteen adults and two children braved the elements and were rewarded with a gorgeous autumnal afternoon and a great opportunity for hard work in the pits!
There were three groups at work throughout the afternoon. One working on the main spit that runs out into the open water from north to south, clearing vegetation in an effort to make it more attractive for breeding terns and gulls next spring. Another was hard at it in the southern end of the reserve removing willow from an area of reed and sedge that will be better left to mature as a marshy area, rather than willow scrub! And the third group was in charge of developing lists of future jobs - drawing up our initial management plan for the site.
It was all pretty hard work - you can only swing a mattock or dig up a tree for so long without having to stop and realise just how hot and tired you are! But it was a beautiful afternoon and the views across the reserve were reward enough - plus the regular eruption from the nearby farmland of a large flock of golden plover and lapwing, with one view of a buzzard overhead and a single sparrowhawk hunting across the bottom of the pit.
An interesting question was raised about what the medicinal properties of Coltsfoot are. Ivan Cumberpatch could remember collecting it during the war, but couldn't recall why! Well some diligent reseach has revealed the answer. The flower gets its name from the shape of its leaves (not from any healing properities for the feet of young horses, as one worker suggested). But it has been used for many centuries to smoke through a pipe as a remedy for asthma! So there you have it!
A particular vote of thanks to Emily who worked long and hard in the pit area - Emily is doing her bronze Duke of Edinburgh award, and shamed us all (well me in particular) by her enthusiasm and strength!
Many thanks to all who joined us. And I look forward to seeing still more of you at our next event on Sunday 24 January.
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