Species Survival Fund mural and other news
Steart Marshes Dragonfly Day on 21st August saw a new mural in one of the Quantock Hides get underway. The mural, painted by local artist, Alison Jacobs, captures the wonder of Steart Marshes’ wetlands and grazing areas with longhorn cows, cattle egrets and dragonflies featured. Alison was helped by local people, including volunteers from My Day Care Services, who regularly clean the hides at the reserve.
Watch out for news of another mural coming soon as well as willow workshops in the autumn and spring.
This mural was created as part of the site’s Wetter for Waders project, funded by the Government’s Species Survival Fund. The fund was developed by Defra and its Arm's-Length Bodies. The Species Survival Fund is being delivered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Natural England and the Environment Agency.
Visitors to the Dragonfly Day also enjoyed guided walks, pond dipping and other activities. A designated Dragonfly Hotspot by the British Dragonfly Society, WWT Steart Marshes is a hugely significant wetland habitat for dragonflies. It is home to 23 species of dragonfly. The British Dragonfly Society, Recorders of the Avalon Marshes (RoAM), Somerset Otter Group and Bridgwater Blue Heritage all exhibited at the day.
As part of the Wetter for Waders project, we will also be creating new wetland features over the next few months. A rotary ditcher and soil spreader will be on site in September to create wetland features that will support and encourage wading birds and other wetland species. Further works including restoring twelve ponds, re-establishing a ghost pond, and upgrading and expanding predator fencing will begin in the autumn as well.
Regular bird ringing on the reserve has also recently started with the help of new volunteers who are experienced bird-ringers. Bird ringing is vital to help us understand population trends and track changes in migratory patterns.
Kingfisher and sedge warbler pictured here – thanks to the ringing team for the images.
Can you believe it is 10 years this month since the reserve was inundated with tidal water for the first time! Thanks to everyone who has supported us over the past 10 years and to all of our marvellous volunteer team who help to manage the reserve. More details next time about our celebrations to mark the event.
Finally, we will be holding our next open door day for the local community at the site office on Thursday 19th September from 10am -3pm. Please call in if you have any questions about our work and would like to speak to a team member in person.
