Elmley Marshes

Wagtails and Water voles!

2013-04-28T15:35:25Z

There is a lot of activity at Elmley Marshes at the moment.
The drive down to the car park is fantastic with close views of displaying
Lapwing and Redshanks wandering closely along the track. I can confidently say
you are very likely to see at least one stunning Yellow Wagtail and if you are
sharp eyed you may also see some Brown Hares. Along with Marsh Harriers, you
can get all this even before you have parked your car!

At the carpark and around the farm Swallows are building
their nest in the toilet block as they do every year and making a mess, however
we don’t mind – they are great to watch!

The Reserve is also looking great and supporting a good
number of nesting Lapwing and Redshank so please keep to the signposted paths to
avoid any disturbance to them. Marsh frogs can be heard in the ditches running around/
through the reserve. Whilst you are listening for the frogs keep your eyes open
for water voles sitting on the very edges of the ditches or swimming across.
Water Voles are very quick to disappear when disturbed so you will often only
hear a small splash as evidence of one jumping back into the water.

Snow and Cranes.

2013-01-24T11:32:38Z

The recent snow fall may have stopped our work on the reserve but it hasn’t stopped the wildlife. On a recent count just before the snow fell over 7000 Wigeon, 5000 Teal as well as Pintails and Gadwall were all on the reservoir and in front of Southfleet Hide. Heading into Wellmarsh Hide we had Dunlin, Knot, Golden Plover, Bar tailed Godwit and Turnstone and also spotted 43 Barnacle Geese a bit further out in the field. Very high numbers of Lapwing all over the reserve along with Golden Plover, Curlew and 800+ Brent Geese.

I am keeping my eye open for the Cranes that have been seen on Southern Sheppey (on the 23^rdthey were sighted on the fields along Harty Ferry Road) but not on the reserve yet.

Path Open!

2013-01-11T10:42:46Z

We were able to reopen the path leading to Counterwall Hide today. All over christmas we have had the sluice open to empty the borrow dyke and excess water out into the Swale and have finally got the level low enough to allow access.

Happy 2013!

2013-01-08T14:32:00Z

A quick update on path conditions: The path leading to Counterwall hide is still flooded and so remains closed. All other paths and tracks on the reserve are extremely wet and muddy so please take care. Our main phone line is currently down so if you would like any information or want an update then please contact Lyndsey - 07714139415 or Nick - 07703717540.

Over the Christmas period staff and volunteers were on the reserve everyday to check on the livestock and make sure everything was in order. However the decision was made on boxing day that there just wasn’t enough nutritional grass to sustain our herd of Sussex cattle and so we arranged to have the grazier come in and take them off. This was easier said than done as he couldn’t get the lorry down to the corral for loading. This meant that our two lucky volunteers who were in that day assisted Nick in driving the herd all the way up the main track to Rose Cottage, the corral on ECT land which is far more accessible for the lorry. It only took an hour!!

Elmley is a wader and wildfowl wonderland at the moment with Wigeon and Teal numbers looking fantastic. 5000+ widgeon alone can be seen on the reservoir when the swale is choppy and they want some calmer waters. Around 200+ Dark Bellied Brent Geese were on the swale New Year’s Day which is always a spectacular site for the start of a new year!

In addition, there are the usual buzzards, Marsh Harriers, Peregrines, Merlins, Sparrowhawks and Kestrels. Also the irregular sightings of both Male and ring-tail hen harrier. Short Eared Owls are still stopping visitors in their track when spotted and also hunting Barn owls.

Mike our volunteer giving the cattle their christmas dinner

Reserve Access

2012-12-17T16:10:05Z

We have had to make the decision to temporally close the path leading to Counterwall Hide due to high water levels, we are doing everything we can to lower the levels but the path will remain closed for the time being. The situation will be reviewed on a daily basis.

If you are thinking of visiting the reserve in the near future access to Wellmarsh hide is still available as is Southfleet. Please use the main public right of way track to gain access to Southfleet via the wooden field gate at the entrance to the reserve but please ensure the gate is closed behind you. All paths are very muddy, wet and uneven, please wear suitable footwear.

Elmley wardens

Winter Sightings

2012-12-10T12:05:00Z

Elmley is definitely living up to its reputation as a winter wildfowl spectacular! If you wrap up warm and make the walk down to the reserve (particularly good either side of high tide) you will see thousands of Wigeon and Teal – particularly from Southfleet Hide and around the reservoir. Also Pintail, Shoveler, Gadwall and even the odd Goldeneye have been spotted.

1000+ Dunlin are making use of the islands in front of Wellmarsh Hide along with Grey Plover, Turnstone, Knot, Snipe and Ringed Plover. Dark Bellied Brent Goose are close to reaching a count of 100 and can be seen grazing in the fields along with Lapwings, Golden Plover and Curlews digging in the mud for invertebrates.

As Graham mentioned in his blog there are plenty of raptors about. Marsh Harriers, Merlin, Buzzards and the Peregrine are all being seen on a daily basis. Short Eared Owls and Barn Owls are out and about hunting. Early evenings are the best time to see these although if you are lucky you will sometimes see the Short Eared Owls hunting during the day.

Grahams Blog...

2012-12-10T11:33:00Z

Hello, bit of a Blogger change for what will probably be the last update of the year. I’m Graham Hill one of the regular volunteers on the Elmley reserve.

In the last post Lyndsey, said it was feeling wintery, well, it has well and truly arrived now. Regular visitors know how bitter it can get down here, so you can imagine how the dusting of snow has confirmed winters’ arrival and the mandatory wearing of thermal underwear!

I was fortunate enough to have a Volunteering day sanctioned by my employer on Friday, I didn’t wear thermals so my advice above is heartfelt (well lower than heart!), but despite the bitter northerly winds, I had, as ever, a great day helping out around the reserves.

The weather has brought in a fantastic influx of winter wildfowl. Really good numbers of Wigeon and Teal, Brents and Greylags abound. The constant background babble of “purring & chattering” Brents and the “whistles” of Widgeon, keeping us company in this isolated location. Best views and ambience from Southfleet hide.

As ever, plenty of raptors around on the eye for a ready meal.

The LEO in the orchard, had been a bit of a star attraction, however probably thinking it too cold to sit around all day, has finally moved on(not been seen since mid-November), I must admit I’d have done the same given the weather!

Please take extra care when driving on to and off the reserve, as the conditions can be challenging, I know the tracks route pretty well having travelled it many, many times, but I still had a bit of “moment” on Friday.

Sightings

2012-11-12T16:29:00Z

It is really beginning to feel wintery on the reserve. Raptors are really making their presence known with Hen Harrier, Merlin, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Shorteared Owls and Barn Owls all spotted over the weekend by visitors.

From Spitend Hide the estuarine waders can be seen in relative comfort out of the wind. These are including high numbers of Curlew, gulls, Dunlin, Turnstone, Blacktailed Godwits, Knot, Oyster Catchers, Lapwing and Plovers to name a few.

On the reserve there are still a few Green Sandpipers, greenshank, Snipe, Wigeon, Teal and Pintailed ducks along with Canada Geese, Brents and Greylags. Around the farm carpark there are quite a few small birds hanging around the bird feeders and bushes including Robins, Black Birds, Wrens plenty of Goldfinches and I also spotted a Gold Crest hiding out in the Orchard. Long Eared Owl was last seen on the 8^th November.

Grumpy Cows

2012-11-12T16:06:51Z

Many may have noticed this year that we have had no trouble raising our water levels. Plenty of rain has meant that the reserve is possibly looking the wettest that most can remember. This is fantastic as it has created a great habitat for the winter bird’s arrival. It also makes our days much more enjoyable trying to get around the reserve as we have to abandon the truck and walk. Rain has not stopped management work either as the never ending maintenance of our 2 electric fences continues. This includes checking for any shorts, cutting back vegetation and re-securing the underlying terram matting. The two extra wires that the volunteers added to the fences this time last year seem to have done the trick with keeping foxes out of the wader nesting areas.

Throughout October/ early Nov the Long Eared Owl has been sitting in the orchard giving visitors fantastic opportunities to see him. Typically on the busiest days he would disappear deeper into the orchard leaving visitors very disappointed if not determined to see him. He was last seen on Thursday 8^th November.

We started weaning the calves from the cows on Friday .....this has caused all sorts of drama including cows swimming ditches and wardens not being able to get through gateways. However it should all settle down in a day or two when the cows realise they no longer have their calves around to worry about.

Glorious mud

2012-10-24T12:39:00Z

It is getting to the time of year where we start seeing the marsh looking like everyone supposes a marsh should look like.....very wet. With all the rain we have had over the last couple of weeks it is not surprising that the water levels have risen and all the rills and scrapes have filled up. This is great, but it does pose problems for the team here to get around! We all try to stay on the main track as much as possible. If we were to start driving in the fields we would soon find we have a big muddy mess.

It is still vital we get out if only to check on our livestock. They are checked on a daily basis but we are being especially vigilant with our sheep. It is very common at this time of year for sheep to ‘roll’. Due to their big and heavy fleeces a sheep can get stuck on its back which could prove fatal if it is not helped and rolled back onto its feet as soon as possible.

Elmley has always been a great time to see Hares. As I drove into work this morning I spotted 6 sitting on the side of the track. Hares can be seen at any time of the day but early morning and evenings are the best time to look. Normally solitary creatures only pairing up in the spring, it was a real treat to see this small group or ‘drove’ as a group is often known as, I just wish I had my camera on me.

Recent sightings

Our Long eared Owl is still making a regular appearance and is currently sitting on his favourite perch as I write this blog. However, being a bit of a tease (especially, it would seem on the days people come to see him) he retreats deeper into the orchard out of sight. Short eared Owl and Ringed tailed Hen Harrier were seen yesterday over the flood, with merlin, peregrines and kestrels all being spotted over the weekend. Wader/ waterfowl peaks for Elmley this month include 1500 Teal, 500 Wigeon, 250 Shelduck, 700 Lapwing.

Perfect weather for ducks

2012-10-02T11:45:45Z

With 60mm of rain falling in just 4 days last week you can imagine that the marsh is looking extremely soggy right now! I have really noticed the wildfowl numbers starting to increase. A passing Marsh Harrier sent hundreds of Teal up into the air today from off the reservoir. It was an amazing sight.

Winter wader numbers are also on the increase, Lapwing and Golden Plovers can be seen in the fields along with Grey Plovers and Curlew. With all the rain and high water levels at the moment waders are sometimes difficult to see but the pools on the flood are being used by Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Turnstone and Little Stints.

Yellow Wagtail numbers have dwindled right down now with just the odd one still being seen, the same with Wheatears and Whinchats.

Some visitors with very keen eyesight spotted our Long Eared Owl over the weekend. We normally see up to 2 that regularly roost in the Orchard at Kingshill Farm. These birds are not always easy to see so a lot of patience and luck combined is needed! Please don’t be tempted to walk into or around the orchard to get better views as this is only likely to disturb them and may cause them to abandon their roost.

Recent Sightings

2012-09-07T13:03:27Z

It has been a good week on the reserve with the warm weather attracting a lot of visitors who want to make the most of the sunshine.

Although we have been managing the islands on the Scrape a good number of waders are still being seen poking around in the mud for invertebrates, especially around high tide. We are still seeing Spotted Redshank, Whimbrel, Common Sandpiper, the odd Ruff and also Little Stint but these numbers are going down. However Grey and Golden Plover, Lapwing, Dunlin and Knot numbers are slowly starting to increase.

It is worth getting out now in the warm weather to enjoy the dragonflies and Butterflies. There is still a lot to be seen including Peacocks, gate keepers, meadow browns and common blues and on the dragonfly front we are still seeing Ruddy Darters, Emperor, common skimmer and blue azures. These are best seen along the bottom of the seawall towards Spitend Hide.

Water Voles are coming to the end of their breeding season and a recent survey has shown we have a very healthy population. If you are patient and quiet you can often see them swimming across ditches.

Nick was very lucky last week to see the very scarce Maid of Kent beetle. He was casually checking the livestock when he happened to look down and see this beetle rooting around in a cow pat. These beetles look very much like bumble bees but obviously in the shape of a beetle. I have also seen a couple of stunning Wasp Spiders out on the reserve. Wasp spiders are big yellow and black spiders that up until recently were only found in the South East of England, but have now started spreading. They favour unmanaged grassland, building large orb webs catching flying insects and grasshoppers.

Habitat management.

It is the time year again where we let the water get low on the scrapes in front of the hides. Dont worry this is only for a very short time and there is still plenty of shallow water around the flood that the waders frequent to feed but are difficult to see from the hides. We are currently pumping back onto the scrapes.

Reserve Management

2012-09-07T09:58:54Z

You might notice that the pools on the flood are looking quite low...don’t panic, this is only for a short time as staff and volunteers are undertaking the enjoyable task of walking out to the islands, getting stuck in the mud (and sometimes falling into it) to complete the annual management of brushcutting the long rank grass on the small islands. This is the best time of year to do this as the scrapes have naturally dried down enough to allow us to get across to them. We are trying to get the islands cut as quickly as possible so we can get water back onto the flood and we apologise in advance for any disturbance caused.

The topping is very nearly complete with just a few fields left to cut. All going well the bulls will be going back to their home farm leaving us with the females and calves. These are very easily mixed into a bigger herd and we can keep on top of the grazing in a more controlled regime.

Nick was very lucky last week to see the very scarce Maid of Kent beetle. He was casually checking the livestock when he happened to look down and see this beetle rooting around in a cow pat. These beetles look very much like bumble bees but obviously in the shape of a beetle. I have not seen one yet but am staying eagle eyed! I have also seen a couple of stunning Wasp Spiders out on the reserve. Wasp spiders are big yellow and black spiders that up until recently were only found in the South East of England, but have now started spreading. They favour unmanaged grassland, building large orb webs catching flying insects and grasshoppers.

Who said we needed rain??

2012-07-24T15:53:25Z

The summer is a very busy time of year on a wet grassland reserve. All staff and volunteers can take a sigh of relief now the breeding bird surveys are all complete and we can now crack on with the practical habitat management in preparation for 2013. If you are out and about on the reserve over July and August you may notice the fields being topped by tractor. This is a necessary management technique to remove grass seed heads and thistles. This along with our cattle and sheep will return the vegetation height to an even low one and make an attractive habitat for passing waders during the summer months and then our wintering wildfowl during the winter.

We have commenced pumping water off of the main flood as believe it or not we have too much water on site. So we will be pumping from the flood for a little while to expose some mud for our returning waders.

We are also in the process of mowing a pathway down to Spitend Hide, this should be completed by the end of the week and make walking down to the hide a bit easier.

We can confirm this year that the electric predator fence did its job and the breeding waders had a successful hatching year without being troubled by foxes and other small predators; unfortunately we couldn’t do anything about the Marsh Harriers and kestrels that were reported on a regular basis taking the odd chick to feed there own families.

There are plenty of butterflies and dragonflies around at the moment, and if you are about on the reserve listen out for the tell tale plop of a water vole dropping back into the water from the edge of a ditch. Bird wise there are plenty of Avocets, black tailed godwits, redshanks, spotted redshanks, lapwings, oyster catchers, common, green and wood sandpiper, ringed plover, yellow wagtails, marsh harriers and kestrels amongst other things.

Drought, what drought?

2012-05-10T13:48:22Z

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.