The task was to dig a trench across an island! Seven of us turned out and we began by ferrying tools and volunteers across a short stretch of water to the island.  Two sensibly stayed on the mainland to do some weeding of the hedge we had planted a few months ago, but the rest of us set to work digging out the soft, smelly mud and sand to begin separating one part of the shallow island from his more overgrown neighbouring section.

The aim was to provide a psycologically more secure island for nesting gulls and terns. As part of the island was near to the mainland and dense with reeds, it might be that the ground nesting birds felt vulnerable to predators.  So, by digging a trench to separate the two areas, it was hoped that the birds would feel more protected.

The small island was very exposed, with no shelter from any passing showers. Amazingly, considering the previous days weather, we only had one small shower during the day, sunburn was more of a threat! Our presence had of course scared off most of the interesting wildlife, so the visitors to the bird hide nearby had to content themselves with watching our activities through their binoculars.  I wonder if the birds get the same feeling of 'being watched'!

Inevitably, the trench filled immediately with water, so digging was hard going.  We barrowed the spoil to the edge of the island and tipped it into the lake, usually followed by the barrow itself. We managed to dig a trench across the island, but at less than a meter wide, it wasn't going to deter any predators.  The plan is to widen the trench much further, but a digger on a pontoon would be a useful tool! Failing that, several return visits will be needed.  I just hope the birds feel safer, even though any determined predator could swim across.

Julian