Kent Ornithological Society 
Steve Weeks, Area Manager for Kent Wildlife Trust, writes: "The past couple of months have allowed us to see how the East Flood reacts to different sluice board and pipe combinations and the levels have been drawing in more birds in the past 6 weeks. We are still mainly dependant on rainwater to hold the levels once we have set the sluice boards. Unless the prolonged drought ends soon and with significant rainfall, it is likely that the flood will dry out in the next few weeks. One option that we are pursuing to reduce the risk of this happening in future years is installing a fixed pump in the Pheasant Farm drainage channel. This would give us the ability to pump water into the East Flood during extended periods of dry weather.
The Trust has started the legal process to remove the travellers from the reserve car park, in a safe and appropriate manner. New carparking signage is on order and will be installed to replace the previously vandalised signs."