An update from the reserve team – October

October is a very busy time for the Reserve Team, as habitat management really gets underway. One of the biggest tasks for the autumn season is cutting & clearing the Wildflower Meadow. In total during 2025, 60+ volunteers helped over eight days to mow & clear two acres (0.8 hectares) of vegetation. As always, areas have been left uncut with late flowering Water Mint, Hemp Agrimony & Devil’s-bit Scabious. Our Longhorn Cattle are now finishing off the job, by grazing the meadow – head down to say hello.

The Waderscrape has received a lot of attention over the past week, including cutting the vegetation on the islands and in front of the hides to create feeding areas for birds & open viewpoints. At the same time the team started removing scrub to open up the water and reed fringes. Works will continue during the winter, in readiness for the breeding season.

The eagle-eyed may have seen smoke signals coming from the back of the Wensum Wetland over the last couple of weeks as the team moved onto cutting & burning Willow & Alder regen in the reeds. Opening these areas promotes new reed growth, creating perfect conditions for Reed Warbler, Bittern, Bearded Tits & Harvest Mice. Talking of Reed Warbler & Harvest Mice, whilst undertaking work, the team found old nests built by both species, showing our management is working = success!

The Seasonal Pathway running through the woodlands to the South Rail Line has now opened. This path will be open until February next year and is a great place to look for birds (Sparrowhawk, Jay), mammals (Brown Hare, Roe Deer) and late summer insects (Common Darter dragonfly & Red Admiral butterflies).

We are seeing & hearing lots of autumn wildlife, including flocks of Redwing & Fieldfare as well as passing skeins of Pink-footed Geese. Increasing numbers of Lapwing (100+), Tufted Duck (50+) & Teal (40+) have been recorded on the lakes and flocks will continue to rise through the winter. Other recent highlights include Woodcock, Stonechat, Ruff, Green Sandpiper, Raven, Goshawk & Great Egret (5+).