A lot has happened in the short time since I last put pen to paper. The world is a different place and so are the marshes. I was fortunate to spend a large chunk of this August in the Balkans in another set of marshlands. The setting for these marshes made me reflect on the nature of our site and the importance of it. These two places were the same but also the opposite of the other. It’s given me a slightly altered perspective on what landscapes/habitats represent. We are managing these sites to make them like the best examples of their kind, but, what makes them this is how they interrelate with the environment around them, and that can be different all over the world. Its autumn/winter now and the machinations of summer are beginning to fade away. The depth of green is fading fast with the shortening days. Whatever (soggy) version of a summer we were treated to is over and the site is beginning to reflect a different side to it. One marginally less hospitable, but more open as a result. New sightlines are appearing and soon we’ll be expecting some visitors we’ve been missing for a little while now. I hope everyone found ways to enjoy the summer months and finds themselves heading towards the festive period a little more relaxed. Let me tell you what’s been going on.
Bovine blues
One question on everyone’s lips has been “Where are the cows this year?” There are a couple of things to mention here. Firstly, this was the year we knew we had to replace the fencing on the marsh. In order for this to take place we needed the ground to be dry and in case you had forgotten, this is England. Much of the marsh was still under water well into June and July which consequently delayed the fencing. On top of this, a bout of blue tongue (a nasty bacterial disease affecting livestock) reared its head and the transportation of livestock has been embargoed.
We will, therefore look to have the cattle on slightly earlier next year to make up for lost time. It’s a real shame as I know what joy the cattle bring to everyone who visit the marshes, however, we are at the mercy of the weather and as we’re all aware, extreme weather trends are only likely to increase as we continue fighting the climate crisis.
Factoring this into our management is going to be crucial moving forward and something as an organization we are looking to build resilience on. Alas, the cattle won’t be here in 2024 but there will always be a place for them here on the marshes (Sorry cows!).
Volunteers
As ever the volunteers have been instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the site. All we do is under their knowing eyes and I can say it’s been a real joy getting to know a few new faces this year. I’ve littered the newsletter with some examples of the sorts of work they get up to.
We have also had some really fantastic corporate groups this year who’ve more than pulled their weight. It’s an easy choice for me between the marshes and the 50th floor of the 'walkie-talkie', I daresay there might be a few corporate bods who have changed their mind since coming and working with us for a day.
Surveys? We’ve had a few.
Where we might be lacking a certain bovine feel this year, the one thing we are replete with is data. You simply cannot manage a space appropriately if you don’t know what is in it. The upshot of that is that 2024 has been a year of surveying for us.
Now for the technical bit! We’ve commissioned a Vegetative survey called the National Vegetation Classification (NVC) as well as an invertebrate survey and we’ve even had Natural England down to complete some condition assessments for areas of the site.
Feast and famine are themes within conservation management. These peaks and troughs are observable in natural processes as well as financial inputs. So when the opportunity to have a good gorge on surveying arise then
you better believe we’ll be stuffing our proverbial faces.
This data will provide us with mapping for all vegetation and invertebrates on the site.
Furthermore we’ll be able to see trends and patterns of decline, look for potential mutualisms between species in relationship to the change in their population/distribution across the site. The NVC in particular will provide us with mapping on vegetative classifications across the site and how they interact and overlap. All of this provides us with a greater understanding of the effects of our work on these areas and whether the desired outcomes are being met. I’ll look to present this data in one form or another over the next few months so those of you with a keen eye for data will be able to have a good gander.
School Groups
In June and July we welcomed a number of school groups to the marshes where they carried out some fieldwork and preparation for their exams. We also had some primary students tour around some of our other local sites where they learned all about the different habitats within the Lee Valley, of which there are loads! These trips are so important for forging a connection between people and place and are definitely something we, the Ranger team, love getting involved in where possible.
Haystacks
It’s absolutely pouring today. When I think back to July, however, to our wonderful, energetic, baking hot Haystacks event I can feel my damp socks reheating. It was a fantastic event, made all the more brilliant thanks to the contributions of our mater scything instructor Ida and the organizer in Chief Kathrin. Well over 100 people participated over the course of the day learning about this traditional haymaking technique and consequently, we found ourselves with a mighty haystack at the end of the day. This was subsequently annihilated by the scores of kids who’d been desperate to jump in the second it began to take shape. Unabashed by streaming noses and puffy red eyes, nothing but total destruction was enough for the hordes of Hackney toddlers, watched on by parents with the right idea, a blanket and a glass of blush – oh go on, you’ve twisted my arm. A brilliant end to a brilliant day. Bring on Haystacks 2025!
Wintering the site
In late summer, sites across Lee Valley Regional Park have their meadows cut. Our meadows need to be cut at least once a year in order to retain the species of interest. The hay is cut and removed so as not to add any nutrients which would favour the faster growing plants. These would otherwise outcompete the more floristically interesting indicator species. It can appear quite a dramatic change, losing the height of the summer meadow sward. As we move into the depths of winter the process of wintering the site begins. There’s a focus on scrub removal and tree safety works. Making safe and secure that which otherwise might provide us with certain issues over the course of the year.
There was a liminal feel to the end of summer. Without the full throated expression of autumn colour, the site took on a bleached sort of tone. It’s a great breath before a new movement and the faded greens will be replaced by deep ochre, browns and reds. The colours of fireworks and the colours of change.
Bioblitz
We’re in the early stages of putting together a series of events for summer 2025 to celebrate our local spaces. Activities and guided walks, survey workshops and guest speakers. There are a host of community groups and organisations invested in the protection of local spaces for nature and people. We want to celebrate this so watch this space and keep your eyes peeled for news on this upcoming festival of nature.
Plans for the future
There are a million and one things I’d love to do on the site over the next few years but here is just a snippet of what we’ll be gearing towards over the coming months…
Bioblitz/Summer festival of nature
Scrub management across site
Tree planting Leyton Marsh
Pond restoration works in Horseshoe Thicket
As ever we look forward to seeing and meeting as many of you as possible to discuss and revel in the space we are all so lucky to enjoy together. If ever you see the team out and about, don’t be afraid to come and let us know your thoughts about the marshes. I’m always happy to give people a little more insight into why we do the things we do. From everyone who manages the marshes, have a wonderful winter and enjoy the festivities. Go on indulge. You’ve earned it!
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