Exe Estuary

A Cold Start to 2013

Jenni RSPB — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:44:44 GMT

The end of this cold and snowy weather has been heralded by numerous sightings of Redwing and Fieldfare, and our bird feeders have been bustling with green and gold finches, chaffinches, robins and blue and great tits. On warmer days, the first Robins and Dunnocks can also be heard singing in our hedgerows. Goldcrests and Yellowhammers can also be spotted in the woods and hedgerows.

Bird counts in January revealed large numbers of Godwits, Avocets, Redshank, Curlew and Dunlin, as well as our usual numbers of Teal, Wigeon, and other ducks and geese. There has also been small groups of Pintail ducks and Snipe, and a couple of Grey Plovers were seen earlier this week.

The snow and rain has restricted some of our work on reserves: the past 2 days have seen the production of more than 20 new nest boxes by residential volunteers, ready for placing around the Exe Estuary over the coming weeks.

Plans for the new pond dipping platform at Exminster are firmly underway, starting this week with localised lowering of water levels, in order to get the first posts in place. The rain isn’t helping! Hopefully we'll be able to run some family pond dipping events by the summer.

Our regular Thursday work party has been doing a great job of laying many of the hedges around Powderham marshes and Labrador Bay. This Thursday we're starting on some of the hedgerows behind Devington Park in Exminster.

Winter's Arrival

Jenni RSPB — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 14:41:00 GMT

Seasonal Change

Everything is changing down on the marshes and, I confess, the view from where I am sitting is very exciting and I am full of anticipation for the coming winter! The biggest change for the team has been the departure of our Site Manager, Sally Mills, to newer pastures: she will be sorely missed, but we wish her all the best in her new job.

Irrespective of internal changes to the RSPB team here, each of the Exe RSPB reserves are continuing, in full swing, with their winter transformation: the trees are looking distinctly barer, Redwing and Fieldfare have been frequenting the local hedgerows of Station Road (Exminster), and the spring/summer interpretation signs at Bowling Green have been exchanged for their wintry counterparts. Starling murmurations have also been appearing in the sky and, with the arrival of Avocets, the RSPBs popular Avocet Cruises have resumed their winter schedule (bookings for these trips can be made through the RSPB website).

Floods

The rain and flooding has affected the whole of the Exe Estuary, and our work on Exminster has been hugely disrupted when we found ourselves unable to access any of the fields! Instead, we took the opportunity to visit some of the other RSPB reserves in Devon, including nearby Aylesbeare, Labrador Bay and Chapel Wood (North Devon). On the upside, many interesting waders, including avocets and black- and bar-tailed godwits, have been spotted on the Exminster fields.

Chapel Wood RSPB Reserve

Labrador Bay RSPB Reserve

Exminster Marshes - 2012 Floods

Station Road, Exminster - 2012 Floods

Winter is on its way

Sally — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:26:05 GMT

It almost feels like a relief that we finally approach the winter months for real, and we can stop pretending that the weather will improve, that it will stop raining and we will be drenched in sunshine. Unfortunately the latter never happened and we never got to achieve all our management ambitions, but I can safely say that it wasn’t for the want of trying!! Although wet conditions curtailed our efforts, the areas we have managed to cut and clear are looking good. Rush and tufted hairgrass tussocks have been reduced to an acceptable number and the grass grazed to desired heights to provide enough to nibble on for our wintering wildfowl and tight enough when looking ahead to the spring for our breeding waders.

Regardless of our management challenges it all feels worth it when small numbers of teal start to congregate in the pools, then joined by their larger and noisy neighbours the wigeon. The small groups soon turn into flocks and the sights and sounds of the wildfowl soon become the reward for our efforts. Godwits are starting to gather and with the high tides of late coupled with high water on Exminster Marshes, the roost at Bowling Green Marsh has been a delight. Elegant avocets are joined by piping redshank and even a couple of unusual visitors were attracted by the gathering, with a male and female red crested pochard using the marsh for numerous days. That is the great thing about wildlife – you never quite know what might appear next!

Our volunteers continue to do an admirable job on people engagement work, groups of eager folk can be found every Friday and one day over the weekend at the hide, to show the delights of Bowling Green Marsh. Keen to engage all, from families to the experienced birdwatcher, they are on hand whether to introduce people to wildlife or to explain the differences between black and bar-tailed godwits, new to wildlife or simply want to know a little bit more why not go along and meet them. Our Wildlife Explorer group has gained a new momentum as has our school work with new volunteers coming forward with new enthusiasm. Don’t forget to check the website for an update of events, from Avocet Cruises to walks.

Birds to Bio-energy

Sally — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 10:34:01 GMT

A key element of managing RSPB wetland reserves is the cutting and removal of wetland vegetation. This management work is both labour intensive and creates large volumes of waste material. In most cases the disposal of this material is problematic to the extent that it can limit the management achieved. Due to the restriction of manual techniques, there is a danger that habitat quality is lost and compromised. At the Exe Estuary Reserves we have a constant battle with species such as soft rush, which we treat, cut and clear annually. The rush thrives on the wetland conditions created to benefit breeding waders and wintering waders and wildfowl.

In an attempt to find a solution the RSPB has completed small-scale trials over a number of years to investigate ways of utilising this waste wetland biomass. So far this work has focused on the production of briquettes made from compacted reed, rush and wood, which can then be used in domestic heating. Although successful there are still many obstacles to overcome such as moisture content, emissions and ensuring the process is energy efficient and such work demands investment. However this work has interested the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) who are subsequently preparing to fund a 2 year competition to develop the complete process from wetland harvest through to the creation of bio-energy.

Over recent months RSPB have been working closely with DECC’s Science and Innovation team to explain the nature of the wetland management issue and to calculate the potential energy gains from processing the waste biomass. There has also been liaison with the consortium of wetland managers from the sites where the development work and demonstrations are proposed to take place.

The project has progressed quickly and DECC are launching the innovation competition on 8th October 2012 inviting industry and academia to apply to design, build and procure the machinery needed to create and deliver the wetland biomass to bio-energy process. At the end of the two-year project the aim is to have a process in place which will enable wetlands managed by nature conservation organisations and other land managers to be harvested economically, allowing us to further improve the habitat for wildlife, increase the area managed, together with producing bio-energy to reduce our carbon footprint and fund future operations. This is an amazing step forward for this work and the opportunity we have been waiting for to progress this aspect of nature reserve management to an effective conclusion.

Weather for ducks

Sally — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 10:22:26 GMT

Brambles laden with blackberries, small pockets of morning mist hanging over the water, large droplets of dew clinging on to the grass until mid morning and a small group of avocets in the high tide roost at Bowling Green Marsh are all signs that autumn is here. As we walk through the marsh at this time of year jack snipe rise silent from their muddy pools and teal nervously chatter as new arrivals they hide in amongst the wetland vegetation. It has been a poor year for dragonflies and butterflies but some can still be seen making the most of the sunny intervals, grabbing a sheltered spot to soak up the warmth.

As I write this we are amidst some of the worst September storms known, bringing cold temperatures and dramatic rainfall. I felt fortunate that the south west was the first port of call as the weather gained momentum as it moved north. But hours of persistent heavy rain have sent the marsh into flood and I am amazed that we have managed to achieve any management works at all. It has been purely down to determination, constant juggling and flexibility as we pit our wits against the good old British weather.

Somehow we have managed to cut and remove 40 hectares of vegetation, somewhat short of the 100 hectares we had planned. However by focusing on the priority areas we have tried to minimise the effect that this will have on the wildlife, but we are left with little choice as the damage we would cause would be far more detrimental. Unless the weather changes dramatically it is hard to see that we will be able to do any further work of this type, particularly as we will soon be required to maintain higher water levels ready for the winter birds.

Goosemoor

Sally — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:28:38 GMT

The works have started on the installation of the National Cycleway through Goosemoor. This new section of cycleway will link up with the existing route through Exton to Bowling Green Lane. This project has been on the cards for many years, as a Council initiative they are looking to undertake some of works over the next month and then again in April to September 2013 to avoid disturbance to the wintering birds which use the site. Previously closed to the public this cycleway will provide many opportunities for viewing the reserve from a roofed viewing area and a number of viewing points along the route as it passes through the site and out over the river Clyst to join the existing route.

News from the reserve

Sally — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:27:18 GMT

I am sure there must be many people who like me are thinking blimey where has the summer gone. As the days start to draw in and the mornings get darker the dew on the ground is heavy and wellingtons are a must for walking across the marsh. However it is not just the dew, the effects of the heavy summer rainfall are still taking their toll. The marshes are particularly wet, and whilst that will help with bringing the water levels up for the winter it really hinders the management work that we look undertake at this time of year.

We are still to complete our cutting and removal of vegetation, which is normally done and dusted by the end of July. We are praying for a September heat wave which will enable us to undertake these works so that the ground is in the necessary condition for both our wintering birds and the breeding species the following spring. Without the removal of vegetation birds will potentially find the site less inviting with the taller vegetation plenty providing of places for predators to lie up in. For many of the birds which use the marsh they are attracted to the open landscape and clear views, so tall vegetation is not favourable as we approach the autumn and winter months

Optimistically we are looking to undertake the second phase of ditch improvement works over in the area we know as Powderham Marshes. Once again like last year this will grade the currently steep sided ditches to a shallower profile, better for waders and their chicks. But once again we hope for drier weather as the moment of material will rely on favourable ground conditions.

Work on the reserves

Sally — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:49:52 GMT

On the reserve the month has been dominated by moving animals to attain the correct level of grazing, followed by weed-wiping with low ground pressure machinery, hopefully to be concluded with cutting and removal – conditions permitting. The amount of rush in the fields is now getting to the 10% that is preferred by our wetland wildlife, however the tufted hairgrass is keeping us on our toes as it relishes the wet conditions that we have been having. As its name suggests it is a tuft forming low lying plant, which itself presents a challenge, disliked by the animals and hard to hit mechanically. However the late growing season resulted in a successful attempt to knock it back and we saw a reward for all our efforts. The intention is then to encourage the finer grasses to grow more suitable for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl.

Normal service resumed

Sally — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 15:45:57 GMT

Finally normal service is being resumed and the good old British weather is more akin to what we are used to. Typically our busiest time, July is the beginning of the small window of opportunity that we have to undertake our main grassland management. Surprisingly what is largely a farmed landscape demands a considerable amount of attention to control the less palatable and invasive species. However our enthusiasm has to be kerbed as we now wait for the lying water to disappear to enable access across the fields without causing damage. However the birds seem oblivious to our challenges. The waders are returning, with a number of black-tailed godwits appearing on the reserves and around the estuary and good numbers of redshank and greenshank can be seen and heard, together with the piping call of the whimbrel.

The first osprey was seen at Bowling Green Marsh on the 26th of the month a true sign that autumn is on its way. However the best sign has to be the flocks of lapwing that are both at Powderham and Goosemoor, a collection of both adult and juvenile birds illustrating a recent successful season.

Britain wouldn’t be the Britain...

Sally — Mon, 02 Jul 2012 10:02:55 GMT

I sometimes think Britain wouldn’t be the Britain we love if the weather wasn’t so erratic and of course what would we talk about! But for the management of a nature reserve it does pose its challenges. However against all odds our breeding waders overcame the spring floods and had a very successful season. Breeding waders on the RSPB Exe Estuary reserves have been struggling for many years, this together with holding the largest Devon population of lapwing has put pressure on the importance of future management. In an attempt to try to arrest the decline and reduce some of the factors at play, during the winter of 2011/12 we erected a predator exclusion fence around the nesting area. Comprising 12 strands of electric fence, it gave a fearsome shock particularly to mammals with wet noses! This together with habitat and ditch improvements and better water level management we waited for the spring with everything crossed. I must admit there was a point in time that I wondered whether it was too late and if the population had gone to levels that would be too hard to lift, so this year was the crucial year.

There is a theory that birds respond to areas that have a reduced number of predators and maybe that was the reason why a larger number of birds decided to breed at Powderham Marshes this year. With water at a perfect height and an increase number of pairs the season was going swimmingly – excuse the pun – as then we were hit. Never before had we experienced spring floods like this year – the whole of Exminster Marshes disappeared under a sheet of water. As I stood on the railway bridge at Station Road I watched what looked like a wall of water heading our way – and there was nothing we could do. My thoughts went to our ground nesting birds the lapwing – how would they survive this significant event.

But survive they did, we only lost 4 nests to the flood water and two relayed immediately - adapted for a dynamic system the birds were soon sitting on a replacement nest of eggs. Somehow by hook or by crook and after frantic sluice management, the other pairs survived and we reached the dizzy heights of 19 pairs. The icing of the cake though had to be the productivity, which at this current moment in time looks to be an average of 2 young per pair, which compared to 0.5 last year – is a major step forward in the survival of this population in the future.

Breeding waders doing well

Sally — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:34:42 GMT

The predator exclusion fence is doing its job and the breeding waders are making good progress. Many nests have now hatched and the grazing animals are back in an attempt to create short turf and poached areas to increase feeding opportunities. Several young are visible and very mobile as they feed on the wet edges and then scurry under the protection of mum’s wing at times of inclement weather. Birds are still sitting and with the introduction of grazing animals it is hoped that those pairs yet to settle will now be enticed to do so. Although it is still early days, it is very encouraging to see all our nests hatching rather than falling foul to ground predators and will hopefully give the population the boost that it needs to secure a healthy population for future years. A pair of oystercatcher has taken advantage of the secure nesting place and they too have been sitting tight over the last few weeks with young soon on the way.

Good Old British Weather

Sally — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 10:31:42 GMT

It has been an unusual May, with a real mix of weather, as the flood water receded and the reserves started to return to the splashy wet grassland typical of this time of year. The high rainfall gave the vegetation either a lush lime green appearance or the flooded brown look which will take a while to recover. The grazing animals returned to the marshes as soon as the conditions allowed, so as not to cause poaching but also to prevent the grass from getting away with growth stimulated by the warm sunshine that followed. The blossoming hedgerows have appreciated all the moisture but the young birds, butterflies and dragonflies it will probably result in mixed fortune. Our breeding waders somehow managed to pit their wits against the rising water and we only lost 4 lapwing nests of which 2 relayed almost immediately. The spring migrants are still in full song and the atypical conditions brought with them a flurry of unusual birds, including black winged stilt, glossy ibis and spoonbill, all a treat to see.

Photo by Colin Scott

Spring Floods

Sally — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:09:55 GMT

What a difference a month makes, it made me smile when I looked back to read last month’s report, especially the sentence ‘the water starts to recede in front of our eyes’, particularly as I had to pass through several sections of floodwater to get into work today. Exminster and Powderham reserves look more like they do in a typical winter, but more extreme and since I have worked on the reserve I have never seen such floodwater. April is not a typical time for the reserves to flood and as a result the effects are a little more significant for our wildlife, particularly breeding waders and wildfowl. Despite the unusual conditions the flooded areas have drawn in the swallows and martins that eagerly feed on any displaced insects and the sight of swifts for the first time last week was rather special. Many other spring migrants have arrived and the thin bands of reed along some of our ditch edges are full of their song.

The rain has encouraged the fresh green growth and the willows in particular look rather splendid. In between the showers bright sunny periods have brought activity from butterflies including several sightings of orange tips, but they too will be struggling with the long spells of wet weather. However it is hopefully only merely a set back as much of our wildlife is resilient and being so early on into the spring there is still time to recover and start again.

Exe Estuary and afar.

Gareth Williams — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 14:42:56 GMT

By the end of the month everyone should be able to say they’ve seen a swallow. Last year the first sightings at Darts Farm were on the 2^nd. Exminster marshes is a great place to visit in spring, most of the trees are still yet to bud, so spotting returning birds is much easier. Willow and Sedge warblers will be in full song come the end of the month along with a rarer relative, the Grasshopper Warbler. On the 15^th last year 5 were heard “reeling” around Orcombe point in Exmouth.

Birds will start returning in good numbers during April. Along the Exe, Ospreys will stop off to feed on their way back to Scotland to breed. If you live or like walking on Dartmoor listen out for Cuckoos, their call carries well on the moor. Skylarks are another bird to see and hear a classic sound along with the crocking sound of Ravens as they make their way around the Tors.

Gareth Williams

The breeding waders return

Sally — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 14:22:25 GMT

Preparations for the coming season continued with the arrival of the cattle back to the marshes meant all estate infrastructure needed to be up together. The warm weather has produced a flush of new growth so we are a few weeks ahead and the cows have returned a little earlier as a result. It is great to welcome them back; I always feel that the marshes look so empty without them. The animals over in Powderham have already done an excellent job of eating down the unpalatable vegetation– which greatly improves the area for the breeding lapwing. The birds seemed to have returned in good numbers and the first count indicates the number of pairs could be similar to last years. This will be an excellent starting point with the hope that under the protection of the predator exclusion fence the returning pairs will have higher productivity enabling the numbers to swell and spread in future years.