Silver birch popping 

It was back in January, on a cold winter's morning with snow still laying on the ground, that Tansy and Lewis set out across the Great Fen armed with tree poppers. Meeting up with the Reserves Team, they helped remove silver birch saplings which had started to appear within the paludiculture beds. Silver birch is a fast-growing tree species and often one of the first trees to colonise an area. Due to the proximity to Holme Fen, a SSSI woodland made up of 90% silver birch, the seeds are likely to have been transported by the wind. However, without management the trees would soon take over the wet farming site, impacting the production of the crops (reed, typha and sphagnum moss) and the developing wildlife habitats. 

Scrub clearing at Five Arches Pit 

In February, Tansy and Lewis joined Great Fen Monitoring and Research Officer, Henry Stanier, at Five Arches Pit. This was their first visit to this reserve which features a variety of habitats from reedbeds with calling water rail, to dense scrub and mature willows… and the occasional train going by! Together, they helped manage the site by cutting back scrub, preventing the vegetation from encroaching too far into the reed beds. It was a highly productive session, fuelled by hot chocolate, laughter and a few biscuits, in the February sunshine.

Unveiling a new path  

Following lots of hard work last year, the new re-routed path at Ramsey Heights was completed by Lewis and Tansy. The path connects the visitor car park and bird hide once more allowing visitors to enjoy a circular walk of the reserve. From this new path, a number of species were spotted including cuckoos, mallards with chicks and orange-peel fungus!  

It was wonderful to watch Tansy and Lewis unveil the new path which marked the end of this task… and enjoy some celebratory cupcakes too! 

Thistle pulling 

Next, they visited the Northern Loop to carry out thistle spudding. This helps to control the spread of spear thistle. For this session, they welcomed additional help from Cameron and Ashley, two local secondary students, and Charlie from the Trust's Young People’s Forum, who were all taking part in work experience with the Great Fen team. Spudding breaks up the root structure, preventing it from regrowing or severely hindering its regrowth, and reduces the use of chemicals. Without this control, spear thistle can quickly take over and outcompete other grasses and herb species. 

With the skylarks singing above, a cuckoo calling in the distance and Chinese water deer bounding through the fields, it was a wonderful day in the great outdoors! 

Willow tunnel 

Back at Ramsey Heights, Tansy and Lewis have continued to support the team with site maintenance tasks ensuring the reserve remains open and accessible for visitors. Tasks have included path edging, clearing fallen hawthorn trees and helping to re-shape the willow tunnel.

As I write this, it is my last day working at the Wildlife Trust BCN before I head off to pursue a career in Ecology. I have loved working with Tansy and Lewis over the last few years with our fortnightly sessions across the Great Fen. They have supported the team, completed numerous tasks and provided many memories and laughs. Tansy and Lewis will continue to volunteer with the team, and I look forward to following their work via Great Fen socials.