Firstly a request to members:

LOWERING THE MARSHES AND THE AUTUMN WADER PASSAGE
In early July we began lowering South Marsh East at the reserve to expose
mud for the autumn wader passage.  We have timed this specifically to
coincide with the beginning of wader movement to ensure areas of new mud do
not lose their invertebrates and later become vegetated.  I am undertaking
this work with input from Peter Izzard's years of experience so hopefully
we should see great results.  Already we have had a lone ruff, the first
redshank and an excellent 56 black tailed godwit!.  At the end of the July
work will start on the lowering of the South Marsh West additionally.

How you can help -
This year is one of the first without additional habitats for waders to
flee to if there is disturbance to South Marsh East.  The problems of the
North Lagoon are well documented and unfortunately we do not have the
luxury of a drained D reservoir this time round!.  If you see wader flocks
being disturbed by predators / helicopters / walkers etc. please log where
they go to in the sightings book - do they just circle higher and
disappear, do they tolerate the single marsh this year or are they
utilising Watton NR?.  All this information helps us develop a picture of
how birds are using the reserve and helps us draw up management plans and
priorities for improvements.  Outline plans are already underway and work
of some form will start in autumn to try and build up and defend islands on
the marshes - keep a look out for volunteering opportunites in the near
future.  In the short term strimming work will be undertaken around the
islands once the ducks are developed enough to give better vistas onto the
mud.