As the meadow cutting and reed topping is finished across our reserves, the wardens have been busy making hay - which is given to local farmers. Because of the rainy summer, there's been a lot more growth and lots of soft spots for our tractors to get stuck!

By shortening the tall vegetation at reserves such as Carlton Marshes and Hopton Fen, the species-rich meadows and botanical marshes are in optimal condition for fresh regrowth next year.

At our Trimley Marshes reserve, water vole have been seen swimming through the ponds and ditches. The water vole is under serious threat from habitat loss; therefore, these sightings are a great indicator that our work on the reserve is successfully creating attractive habitats for the small mammals. Thank you to Bill Mackie for sending us the photo below!

With the hot weather and Sahara dust, the team at Trimley Marshes have been treated to some spectacular sunrises this week.

The team at Lackford Lakes have been surveying the plant-life on the reserve this week. The mosaic of lakes, reeds, meadows and woodlands is not only a haven for kingfisher, water birds and dragonflies, but also for a diverse range of flora including cat's-ear, thistle, field madder, and devil's-bit scabious.

Whilst surveying, the team also came across an elaborate rabbit warren with three archways.

A big thank you to the team at Harwich Haven Authority who helped our wardens at Trimley Marshes!

As part of a Wild Work Day, a group of staff members from the local port authority got involved with a range of works on the reserves including cutting and raking the meadows and grassland that can't be done by a tractor. This week we have also hosted Wild Work Days at Newbourne Springs and Snape Marshes.

Harwich Haven Authority is one of our Partner Investors in Wildlife - a business member supporting our work by donating funding and volunteer hours. You can read more about our corporate supporters here: www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/corporatesupport