Spring work party at Upton Warren

 (Note the close cattle)

It was destination Upton Warren on Sunday for the final work party before the breeding birds return. Nine Avocet were flying over the Sailing Lake on arrival whilst the Great Crested Grebe were warming up for a spring campaign.

The work to be done was at the Flashes which is the furthest south part of this great Midlands reserve. Nineteen volunteers including my eldest lad took part in some great work which will really benefit the birds this spring and summer. First job was to help with the strimming and remove the phragmites along the shore line. Once cut we then had to transport on large canvas sheets through some heavily flooded ground as well as dodging the three new found cattle who were particularly inquisitive.  This work should encourage the cattle to feed on the fresh shoots, which will restrict its spread. 

After a welcome break which included a number of sumptuous cakes and cookies I helped Steve add some pea shingle ready for the returning Little Ringed Plover.

Our final jobs was to help with a derelict fence that needed stripping down and to support with some additional fox defences by the Sewage works.

Despite the weather turning particularly nasty it was a great team effort for a brilliant cause. Lets hope every ones hard graft gets rewards and some great migrants in the coming weeks and months.