October 16th 2016 Island Clearance

October 16th 2016 Island Clearance

On a bright, windy day, a working party of the Friends of Haw Park Wood & Wintersett took to the water at Anglers Country Park. Their task for the day was to clear the islands offoliage, ready fot the return of the nesting birds.

Heading for the first island.
Heading for the first island.
Whilst some members were on the islands other were lowering the vegetation at the waters edge.
Whilst some members were on the islands other were lowering the vegetation at the waters edge.
Starting the clearance of the unwanted foliage so as to provide a suitable environment for the returning nesting birds, such as Oystercatchers.
Starting the clearance of the unwanted foliage so as to provide a suitable environment for the returning nesting birds, such as Oystercatchers.
A cleared island awaiting it's new occupants.
A cleared island awaiting it’s new occupants.
Heading for the Sandmartin's box island.
Heading for the Sandmartin’s box island.
The Sandmartin box was overhauled. Last year's old nests were cleared out and re-filled with sand.
The Sandmartin box was overhauled. Last year’s old nests were cleared out and re-filled with sand.

Although the volunteers were issued with life jackets, thankfully these weren’t required. We now look forward to spring and seeing newly hatched wildfowl using these islands.