Whilst out doing a reptile survey this morning, I happened upon a couple of wasp siders - much to my delight. The photo is of a female, they are pretty big being about the size of a 2p coin. The males are much smaller and sometimes provide a meal…
As part of the Coronation Meadows project in Essex, we are creating a wildflower meadow in partnership with the Essex Wildlife Trust. Before the seed source arrives we have a lot of work to do in removing the vegetation that has sprung up on…
Poor quality but you can just make out a little ringed plover in the top right hand corner. A pair of these tiny wading birds were seen today having a lovely insect feast on the muddy banks of the lake in the North Field. They need the energy as…
Our mute swan family have done a very good job of raising their chicks. The baby's are quite a decent size now and thus far all seven have survived. On the fishing lakes today we also saw a moorhen with chick, a little grebe, and a very…
We spent all day Friday wheelbarrowing bark chippings and shovelling them on the ground where we have planted our hedges. This has two functions. 1. It slows down the growth of weeds which could otherwise smother our newly planted…
A very good day was had on Thursday, the last working day before the Easter weekend. Local volunteers offereed their help with planting a hedge in the North Field, and it was an enjoyable and productive day. A…
Each month we take samples of the landfill gas at a number of points both on and off site. This month however Dale and I were somewhat taken aback when we tried to sample this borehole near the Long Pond, just offsite. As we…
Two of my former colleagues from the RSPB Rainham Marshes reserve in Purfleet visited us at Little Belhus today.
It was a great opportunity to show them around, and hear their ideas and views of the site. As land managers for…
The trees around the fishing lake are looking spectacular, being in full 'bloom' at the moment. The photo shows the spiral red catkins of a poplar tree. Catkins are the type of drooping petal-less cluster of flowers that many trees produce.…
