Swale volunteering Update - December 2022

Swale Volunteer Team

Swale volunteers seem to share mixed feelings about the annual reedbed cut at Oare Marshes. On the one hand the work the volunteers had started several years ago is paying off, with the combination of reedbed cutting and summer grazing helping to create lager pools of open water that are important for overwintering birds. However whilst seeing the results of four years of hard work paying off is very satisfying, the volunteers also know come winter it’s time for the wellies, waders and double sock layers as the water levels rise and the temperature drops!

This autumn saw the Swale volunteers cut a new section of the west reedbed (to compliment the work undertaken by the RSPB as part of the Greener Thames Recovery Fund) and moved over to start on the east flood reeds ahead of Christmas. The volunteers also helped locate and clear pipes across the reserve that help move water across the marsh. An epically muddy task, even for a team used to getting their feet wet! The team also returned to Spuckles Wood and adjacent School meadow to repair fencing and gates following ash dieback works undertaken by contractors earlier in the year. The woodland continues to adjust to the change in light levels.

Wednesday Roaming Team

Our Medway and Wetlands roaming team have also spent time getting their feet wet this autumn, helping to find and clear the pipes across Oare Marshes, repair interpretation and ditch wings, as well as cutting and burning sections of reedbed. The team have also been incredibly patient with interruptions to their regular workdays due to various staff department meetings, which the warden team really appreciate.