Spring has Sprung

Although things are a bit strange now, life still goes on and if you can get out for your daily exercise or out into your garden then you cannot miss that spring has sprung and wildlife is abundant.

Blossom is out on the trees; spring flowers are abundant and there are broods of baby ducklings filling up duck ponds all over the place. Bees and butterflies are a welcome sight with Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Orange-tip and Holly Blue all being spotted in gardens.

Blackthorn Hedge – Reeves Meadows - © Rowena Langston

Migratory birds are arriving back to our shores, listen out for Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps belting out their songs. As the remaining Redwings are leaving us Swallows are already returning.

After all the winter rains and this nice warm spell, it is providing the perfect conditions for plants to grow, which means much more work for our volunteers when we can get back out there. Until then we are very happy to welcome back the Redpoll cattle who will help us manage our sites by munching their way through the vegetation.

Cows and Claves on Webbs Fen - © Rowena Langston

Volunteer Help

Throughout February LOHP Volunteers were joined by 5 Green Light Trust Volunteers based in Bury St Edmunds. The two teams have come together, teaching each other new skills and getting so much work done it's unbelievable, we nearly ran out of tasks. From cutting back encroaching scrub from around the reedbed and heathland, to laying and planting a hedge, to installing bird and Barn Owl nest boxes - there was something to keep everyone busy. Thank you to everyone for all your hard work, especially to the cake bakers who had to make double the amount!

Wildflowers make a come back at New Fen

A wonderful display of wildflowers can be seen on New Fen this year as the fen plants start to make a come back. New Fen had lost its fen habitat as it became colonised by trees, last year we set about removing them with many a volunteer task spent clearing vegetation.

Once the trees were gone a sea of nettles and thistles developed but with careful management these are now making way for some of the once lost fen plants. This is only the beginning we have a long way to go to match Thelnetham Fen next door, but we are well on our way. Next step will be to cut the fen vegetation once it has stopped flowering, this is a big job if you want to come along and lend a hand please get in touch with our Conservation Manager Ellie Beach ellie.beach@lohp.org.uk