Our Wild Learning Team have been cutting back the overgrown willow bed, also known as a withy bed, at Oulton Marshes. We hope that with more routine management we will be able to harvest willow from this bed to use as part of our events and activities around the county.  

The icy starts made for some spectacular scenes across our reserves this week. 

The footpath at Hazlewood Marshes was partially eroded during recent high tides. Warden Gabby and intern Rachel had some brash on hand from recent habitat management and set about making the path safe again straight away. 

Andy, our Lound Lakes warden, has been cutting the reedbed to create a mosaic of fen structure on White Cast Marsh using the Softrak.  

During the work, Andy came across this toad hiding in the reeds. It hopped away unharmed as the Softrak has a low ground impact due to it being tracked. 

Despite its name, spurge laurel is not a laurel - it just looks like one! It has glossy, dark green leaves and black, poisonous berries. Spurge laurel is one of the first plants to flower in woodlands and hedges, like this one at Foxburrow Farm. Its yellow-green flowers are also currently showing at Bull’s and Bradfield Woods.