Tern island and shore cleared on a sunny morning. 11th February 2018

As I sit here typing, I look out of my garden window at a blizzard!  Yep, no kidding, heavy snow fall of what my daughter and I call snail snow: light balls of snow that look like hail but are really soft.  It isn't settling because it is too warm.

Only two hours ago I returned from helping with the Moor Green Lakes work party to clear Tern island and the lake shoreline around the hide. It was gloriously sunny all morning, a lovely temperature to work in. The weather only began to think about clouding over when I left. Two hours later, strong-ish winds and blizzard conditions - allbeit warm.

What a turn out we had for the work party. Some regulars were missing due to half term, some new faces young and old.  Just over half elected to be ferried in to Tern island in twos. They made short work of clearing the island of weeds and low scrub to create a scrape. Basically like gardening but with lots of people with a common aim.

Those of you who watched SpringWatch when they were at RSPB Minsmere a couple of years back, may remember all the drama with their scrape.  Well Moor Green Lakes have two scrapes, Tern island and Plover island.  Both are quite close to both the viewing hides and footpath between the car park and Blackwater. You can watch the drama without a long drive to Suffolk.

The shore detail cut back sedge and reeds with clippers and secateurs, and willow saplings and wands with loppers and secateurs.

Now, as I finish the blog post the sky is clearing, the sun is out, the snow has stopped and has all melted away.  That's British weather for you!  A bit more grim if you are stuck up the mountains of Scotland, Ireland or Wales, or the higher moorlands of Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.  Fun though, if you have the correct equipment.

Sorry about the lack of photos. I forgot to take my point and shoot pocket camera.