This week six volunteers plus one carer multi-tasked in the Middle Plantation. Whilst 3 removed screws from the lids of bird boxes replacing them with the more conventional wired fasteners, the rest of us dug new surface water drainage channels at the site of the drainage system put in a couple of months ago. Whilst extending one such channel we discovered the source of the Nile, or at least the source of much of the surface water problem. So strong is the flow of water from this point that a more permanent piped system may have to be installed at some time.
Next week we go off-site to clean out Dewfalls Pond (off Dewfalls Drive on the Saxon Path).
Today four volunteers surveyed the bird boxes in the Middle Plantation and Webbs Wood. We found some boxes had been used, some had not, some had been mutilated by squirrels or had the holes enlarged and some had the lids screwed down.
During the coming week we will check Sherbourne’s Brake for boxes even tho’ there are none on the list. If we find none then we will complete the survey documentation and distribute same.
We are now ahead of the current GG schedule so next week we will return to the drainage scheme to cut a few more channels now that we can see where the surface water still remains. At the same time we will take a screwdriver and sort out the bird boxes in that plantation and maybe Webbs Woods depending on the turnout.
Today four volunteers checked the boxes in Savage Wood and surveyed the Middle Plantation for checking next week. In Savages we found 11 out of the 13 listed plus one unlisted box. Many boxes have severe hole damage or are damaged in some other way and need replacing ( possibly by the Alzheimers Trust), one had fallen off it’s tree entirely, like a lot of us. Five were used, all by Great Tits (identified by eggs in the nests possibly from abandoned second broods). Only one box with an enlarged hole had been used and one (a bat box) which last year was actually occupied by a mouse at the time of survey still appears to be occupied by a mouse so we left that nest alone and didn’t clean it out.
All the boxes listed for the Middle Plantation have been located - we will check them next week. We checked the new drainage system while we were there. Whilst no doubt better than it was (given the recent rain) nevertheless there was still surface water. Green Gym will schedule a day to dig extra surface water channels using the surplus gravel still nearby.
The records will be updated and when surveying is compete will be kept in the tool store for reference and assignment of additional numbers.
This week five volunteers checked the bird boxes in the Northern Plantation and Bowsland Wood (where there wasn’t supposed to be any). We marked all boxes that were not already numbered starting at No 60 which should give us a bit of clearance. We logged content, condition of box etc. and earmarked those that require replacement (from stock or via the Alzheimer’s Society exercise).
The plan, of finding the boxes and marking them on a grid before monitoring, worked.
Nearly
One box I had marked down twice, once in a fictitious location, and even a quite tight grid reference still doesn’t mean the box is clearly visible. But in general it was of benefit.
Next week we do Savages where there are some 13 boxes. I will try again to make an advance visit and locate all the boxes ‘cos it’s easier when you are not lugging a wheelbarrow and a ladder around.
Today seven volunteers laid wood chip along a section of the footpath through Bowsland Wood. The path is now wood chipped for it’s entire length. A small group detached and surveyed the Northern Plantation (Primrose Wood) and Bowsland Wood for nest box location. We successfully (I think) found all the boxes listed on the 3BNCG list PLUS several more unlisted (and un numbered) boxes. Locations have been marked on the gid map and will ease next weeks survey work. During the course of which we will number the unmarked boxes.
We really must develop a system whereby anyone hanging new boxes must get a list of available numbers from 3BNCG and inform us as to the location of new boxes once hung. Otherwise we will be forever scanning entire areas for new boxes.
Today we went fishing. Seven volunteers set out to remove the goldfish fry from the new pond. Well we caught and relocated hundreds - that is no exaggeration -but hundreds are left.
We brought pond plants which were added to the pond and tried to dog proof the hole where a gate ought to be.
This week five volunteers concluded the scything of Bowsland Meadow. Inevitably we have only addressed a fraction of the meadow but nevertheless with fewer people and definitely fewer scythes we have cleared the same area as last year. We now have a well oiled practiced machine of scythers, rakers and wheellbarrowers working in unison. As an aside, or maybe because of the work done in the past the wild flowers are thriving. We know that in the spring cowslips and Ox Eyed Daisies were plentiful and now we have St John’s Wort, Scabious, cornflower, cranesbill, toad flax, fleabane and unfortunately Ragwort growing in quantity.
Next weeks GG is performing a pre-cursor to the main group’s Saturday exercise. We will clear the existing irrigation channels on the marsh (shouldn’t take long ‘cos we did them earlier this year). We will clear a path to the farthest sump, the point at which the new effort is to beign (the group is to dig a new sump and irrigation channel(s) into the drier regions, and to use the excavated soil to dam off current access to Stoke Brook). Secondary job for the physically impaired or aged (that would be me then) -you guessed it - Himalyan Balsam clearing and litter picking.
Meet at the site at 10. a.m.
Special thanks to those who have been involved in the scything. I think a spendid job has been done.
Today five volunteers scythed Bowsland Meadow (well a part of it). We concentrated on areas around wild flower plantings and cleared a good area. We shared the meadow with BTCV’s NVQ group who were working on the fence around the new pond. We visited the pond and caught a couple of fish. Sara has teken them home to try and identify them. They are some species of carp but whether local of chinese (goldfish) we do not yet know. Sara made a point of asking Pual Humphries if he was fitting a gate but unfortunately he has had his tools stolen again so the gate is in doubt.
We will be here again next week but progress will be slower since Paul has reclaimed his scythes.
Whilst walking around the lake earlier today we saw the following which we haven’t noticed before:
a pair of house martins flying above;
a pair of coots with 2 young swimming on the lake (they also had a nest in the lake);
2 dab chicks with their parents;
a single swan
We also saw the 2 Aylesbury ducks which have been there for a few weeks now.
Between showers we cut the grass in the Community Orchard. You can see some pictures of the day below:
Cutting the grass
A local resident
Collecting the grass
Collecting some more grass
A well deserved rest
