We’ve waited a long time for this. Back in December the water levels rose. Our planned big stomp wasn’t in the right place. we had to compromise. The area we wanted to stomp was just too deep.

The water stayed high all winter, and by the time we could start stomping the birds were nesting. Our stomping dreams went unrequited.

So this weekend saw us back for the first time since then.

We took our time. We had no need to rush around, we had sedges trifids forget me nots and woundwort to consider. We had to figure out where to cut and what to leave.

We had our new scythes and it was such a pleasure to be working the marsh once more.

Young sedge warblers flitted around us and caught spiders we’d dislodged. They’re going to need to be well fed before they fly south to somewhere in central Africa. And then back again next spring.

Between times we’ve got a lot of work to do. After a couple of hours or stomping scything and chatting we took a breather. We were all so refreshed by being back. We looked back over the marsh

And the previous few months away from it.

The day before we cleared the last major area of balsam

When we arrived it was a bit depressing

There was a lot more than we expected. After an hour of meandering around the meadows in pairs chatting away, putting the flower heads and as many of the seed pods as possible into plastic bags we looked around and couldn’t find any more. So there is a chapter in the book of marshian closed and another opened.

We’ll be back to start on the seedlings that escaped our clutches but we have a vast number of seeds safely removed from the marsh. It will be so much easier next year.

And meanwhile we’ve opened a new chapter on the marsh. Stomping season is here!