Reserves

Rain, rain rain – the weather continues to be a challenge, with some of our sites, such as Abington, only becoming dry enough to graze in July and scheduling hay cuts becoming a real headache, although progress was being make by the end of July.

Lambing - Spring saw 146 lambs born at Lilbourne and 165 lambs at Barford, shearing is now well underway. We’ve had one calf born so far this year with another 4 due in August.

Summer Leys - following the reprofiling of the scrape last September, which was designed to create nesting and feeding areas, it has been a bumper year for breeding waders at Summer Leys. Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Lapwing and Oystercatcher have all bred where the work was undertaken and in their highest numbers in recent years. Management of trees that are used as lookout perches by avian predators has also helped to reduce the levels of predation, with more chicks surviving to fledging.

Lilbourne also saw good numbers of waders this year including Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Little Ringed Plover, Curlew, Greenshank, Wood Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit, as well as some rarities, a lot of birders came to try and see a Red-necked Phalarope! Contractors have started work on the bund again as the Reserve edges towards a public opening.

Nene Wetlands has seen grazing introduced to the areas of ponds and scrublands known as ‘Irthlingborough Wild Corner’, whilst the team have been working with visitors and the local community to spread the message of the importance of keeping dogs on leads at the reserve.

Wider Countryside

Local Wildlife Sites – over 40 Local Wildlife Sites have been surveyed by the team this summer, many of which hadn’t been visited by the Trust in over 25 years and ranged from wildflower meadows to disused railways and wildflower verges.

LNRS - We continue to input into the emerging Local Nature Recover Strategies in North and West Northamptonshire – more information can be found at LNRS - Nene Rivers Trust CIO

Churchyards – our churchyards conservation scheme continues to go from strength to strength. We’ve had 11 entries to the scheme this year and done another 12 advisory visits so far with another 4 booked in.

Future Wetlands – we’ve been working with the EA to plan 3 wetland creations schemes on private land in the Nene Valley, all helping to create more, bigger, better and joined up habitats in the valley.

Volunteer Officer - We’ve welcomed Susie to the team as our volunteer officer this year, she has got stuck in straight away helping out with wildlife site surveys as well as our work responding to planning applications that impact wildlife.