Jpeg file 62kb March From mid-March, water levels begin to recede and active management begins. Grips or earth dams are opened up by spade, to allow the free passage of flood water to the River Delph and consequently into the Hundred Foot River. The systems of grips ensures that this water can drain away. Dryer fields are needed so that the vegetation grows and can support grazing cattle which play a key role in our management strategy. Any flood damage to fences, gateways and dams is repaired.
Wardens now have to balance grazing activity with the needs of nesting birds.
If a wash has high numbers of nesting waders then grazing will be delayed until the birds have fledged. If there are small numbers then individual nests are protected with a mesh nest guard. Then they will be moved to the lower washes once they have dried out sufficiently. Cattle are checked and counted twice per day throughout the grazing season. In very wet periods cattle may have to be moved back up Cradge Bank for safety.