April 13th 2010 .... Weekly Volunteers

To record activities

Present:  John, Neil, David, Ron, Keith, Mike and Martin

Activities:

- Nest box inspection.  First Half of route done.  One box to be reinstated, near hunt gate.
- Boundary fence inspected prior to ponies return, with most work done on the cricket field ( replacing posts) and up from the stream on the west side ( staples)
- Helped Monty with rounding up Pippingford ponies
- Repaired the new dam of west pond, and allowed overflow to go out the east side.  Used some pine trunks to make it firmer.
- Removed the brash of a felled tree above West pond, to uncover the heather.  Dragged to a potential firesite.
- Pulled up saplings on north east side of the M1, pine and birch
- John collected hard-core from the Pump house.
- Reserve leaflets refilled

Sightings:

A number of Redstarts singing
A woodlark
Ravens active near nest site
Owl pellets (2) out in the open above west pond
17+ crossbills
Lesser Redpoll
Siskin
Kestrel on the M1
Willow warbler at tool shed
Chiffchaffs

Plenty of visitors.

 Martin