Since our last blog we have been busy taking advantage of our abstraction extension from Windmill Creek and following the recent downpours we are now refilling the reservoir. As I write it’s probably about half full, so still a little way to go but welcome none the less. Just for the record we had 83mm of rain just in April and it has rained here every day so far in May so the whole reserve is now looking as it should which is fantastic. However, it does make getting around to check the livestock much more of a challenge!!
Nick has already been away on his summer break, so is now refreshed and ready to tackle the breeding season, pumping and the livestock and it is now my turn to get away for the next two weeks in the sun of the Med.
You cannot fail to notice that not only are we getting a lot of cattle on the reserve (mainly cows, calves and young store stock) but we recently had 200 sheep join us. The day before they arrived they were sheared. I am sure they don’t much like the marsh weather at the moment as they are dressed for summer but have happily been doing there job of keeping the grass down. Please note that all the livestock at Elmley are docile breeds so do not be put off walking across the field to get to Southfleet hide.
There are lots of chicks around at the moment with the Avocet, Lapwing and Redshank all doing very well, it looks like we are going to have a reasonable breeding season after all.