At Lion's Creek and Lower Raypits nature reserve, the team and volunteers have been working to create open areas for wading birds like avocets to breed and roost. Instead of spraying and using plastic membranes to suppress the vegetation, the team decided to trial using wool from our very own conservation grazers. We are excited to see how this habitat develops with its sustainable flooring!

A huge thank you to the work party at Lexden Gathering Grounds nature reserve. Together, the team opened up the woodland pond and cleared the bluebell glades. Lots of foxgloves are coming through. Nicky Payne, Area Officer, added: “A chilly, grey Sunday was made worthwhile by lots of likeminded enthusiastic folk. Brilliant.”

Volunteer with us

A huge thank you to everyone who supported The Big Wild Seed Sow this year. The campaign has now come to an end. Over 6,000 packets of native wildflower seed have been given out at Nature Discovery Centres and in the community – that’s a lot of wildflowers popping up next spring and summer!

If you haven’t plotted your wildflower patch, you can do so on our virtual map here.

Harry Smith, Warden at Blue House Farm nature reserve, shares some fantastic sightings from the nature reserve at the moment. Alongside the yearly spectacle of dark-bellied brent geese arriving in their hundreds, a striking male hen harrier has been passing through the reserve and regular sightings of marsh harrier have been made.

Our conservation projects would not be possible without your support. Become a member of Essex Wildlife Trust today, and help us make conservation happen. 

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