 |
 Reserve Visit - 26th September 2009 |
| A small group of volunteers visited the reserve on 27th September 2009. This visit was not in the 2009 programme and was organised at short notice, however the weather was tremendous with blue skies and sunshine all day. |
| The following updates will let you see the progress that has been made during our visit and on a few other visits over the last few months: Wildlife Pond: The turf and vegetation around the pond edges has grown successfully and looks very natural in the surrounding environment. In fact it has blended in so well with the surrounding vegetation that a new visitor to the reserve would be forgiven for thinking that the pond had been there for many years! Various species of ducks have been observed using the pond and we will start an ongoing programme to monitor for pond life. Some clearing work is required on the water inlet to the pond and this work was started during our visit and will be continued on future visits. |
 A small group visited the reserve to carry out some essential maintenance. |
| Wetland Area: A few months ago a 16 foot recycled timber bridge designed and constructed as part of our Project Treecycle/Recycle was installed on the wetland area adjacent to the conifer woodland. This is to improve the access along the river bank. On our return to the reserve, it was apparent that the recent very wet weather and flooding had dislodged the bridge and moved it from its original position. The volunteers worked together as a team to move the bridge back into position and install 4 x 8 foot (4x4) posts at each corner to give the bridge additional support. This bridge was then secured to the posts using fencing wire and Brian Robins painstakingly pinned the wire against the timber to ensure that the structure was completely safe. Thank you to everyone who helped with this project and especially to Brian who designed and took the lead in the construction of such a superb and substantial timber structure! |
 Group working to clear ditch serving pond |
| New Woodland: The young trees that have been planted over the last few years are growing well. In some areas the growth of the trees is exceptional and in other areas the growth is much slower. But overall within the improved grassland area and around the bird hide the majority of the trees are thriving. The young trees that were planted in the spruce woodland adjacent to the stream have not progressed so well but there is a small number that are growing and looking very healthy. Our volunteers carried out substantial tree maintenance on the improved grassland area. There were a few larger trees that were still healthy but had been blown over, so larger stakes were installed to provide more support and a large number of young trees with spiral guards and canes were given better support and protection with wooden stakes and the larger tube tree guards. A lot of tree work was achieved in just a few hours thanks to enthusiastic volunteers, and this work will be ongoing. Bird Hide: The bird hide is still looking majestic and standing tall. There have been swallows nesting inside it, and a few months ago a kestrel was spotted inside the hide but he must have managed to get back out again! When we visited there were remains of a dead swallow on the floor of the hide. This looked like the work of the kestrel and we think that he is able to gain access to the hide through a gap above the door, and is therefore predating on the nesting swallows! It will be a priority task on our next visit to cover up the gaps above the door to avoid this situation occurring. Although it is nice to see the nesting birds, it would be better for the birds themselves to build their nests under the roofing timbers on the outside because when visitors do use the hide the birds are being disturbed and they are obviously more susceptible to predation because they are in an enclosed area. There are a few finishing tasks to complete in the hide and then we hope to put up some bird ID interpretation and any other useful information for visitors to the reserve. Grass Cutting: On our visit to the reserve, we were extremely pleased to see that the grass had been cut and taken away by our friendly neighbouring farmer Malcolm. This is an essential task that needs to be undertaken to ensure correct management of the improved grassland area. Malcolm also brings his sheep to graze on the reserve at designated times during the year to comply with the Rural Stewardship Scheme. |