Throughout the year, we have projects at each of our sites to help protect wildlife and preserve our places of wonder. Here are just a few examples of what our fantastic team, and their wonderful volunteers, have been up to in March.
Conservation Matters: March
From celebrating International Women's Day to welcoming the first day of spring, March has been another busy month at the Trust. Find out what conservation projects have been going on this month..
Work for waders
The Southeast team and volunteers carried out important wader habitat management work at Two Tree Island this month. Vegetation was cut back around the edges of the islands on the lagoon to create nesting and roosting areas for waders. In addition to this, shingle and sand was laid to replicate a beach habitat. Beach-nesting birds like oyster catchers, little ringed plover and little terns use beaches to lay their eggs, so this work is vital for species like them. They are also trialling the introduction of little tern replicas onto the islands in the hope that these will draw real-life little terns to this newly created nesting site.
Wetland Assessment
Credit: Charlie Oliver
Blue House Farm nature reserve is a haven for an abundance of animals, from the tiniest insects to soaring birds ahead. At the start of March, the ecological survey team conducted wet grassland assessments at this site to delve a little deeper into the conditions of this site. From this, the conservation team can assess how best to manage the site so we can continue to improve the habitat for all those that rely on it. Charlotte McLachlan, our Assistant Reserves Ecologist, describes the wildlife she spotted on the day: “I was lucky to be surrounded by singing skylarks, and to stumble across a water vole (only heard and saw the little splash a few feet away and the remains of its breakfast nibbles on the bank, sadly not the critter itself), a hare and lots of snipe, as well as hundreds of whistling wigeon flying overhead.”
Safety for swans
Peter Dolphin (Facebook)
Along with the help of our fantastic volunteers, the team at Gunner’s Park and Shoebury Ranges nature reserve have built a swan enclosure on the lake edge, to create a safe area for swans and other waterfowl. As we welcome many visitors and dog walkers to this busy site, the designated area will allow the bird species to feel safe and secure – so that everyone can enjoy Gunner’s Park together. The team are also looking to create a wader roosting area, allowing waders to gather at high tide.
Bats are back in business
With thanks to the Hanningfield Reservoir Nature Discovery Park team, the bat roost box was given a well-needed clear out ready for the local bats to return this March. Watch the below video to see the team in action, removing lots of residual bat droppings and cleaning the camera so that you can watch the bats live in action as they begin to nest this season.
Waving goodbye to winter work
The final touches to the winter conservation work have been completed this month at Iron Latch nature reserve. The team have focused on opening up the habitat around the pond. By removing the bramble, sallow and aspen that grows, we are allowing wildflowers to flourish instead, giving them the space they need. With assistance from our invaluable volunteers, the team finished this season by creating a dead hedge at the entrance of the site, utilising the materials that have been cleared along the fence lines.
