27th December 2011 --- Weekly Volunteers

Present:

Ron and Martin

Activities:

- went round the North West boundary checking for any storm damage
- Found the split fir tree mentioned last week by visitors.
This is near the Cricket pitch in cricket Pitch Wood.
It is safe, and rather attractive for viewing the construction of a trees wood.
We took off the odd snag that could possibly poke into an eye.
It is largely on the ground except at the base end which props the main trunk
In a horizontal position.  If this 'propping' rots away the trunk will
probably sink slowly to the ground.
- moved the brash pile in the corner of South Heath acros the road,
and had a bonfire on the established patch behind
the cottages.

Observations:

- Redpolls


Martin

20th December 2011 --- Weekly Volunteers

Present:
John, Alan, David, Jonathan, Keith, and Martin

Activities :

- cut marked trees along beeches avenue
- bonfire of brash

Observations :

- crossbill, redpoll, longtailed tit, marsh tit
- new dam needs attention
- visitor reported new split/fallen tree near cricket pitch.
Away from trails, but will need inspecting sometime.

Martin

13th December 2011 --- Weekly Volunteers

Present:

John, Keith, Jonathan, David, Ron, Neil,  Mike, Alan and Martin.

Activities :

- after gales on Monday night, checked the main paths for damage.  2 birches
cleared away, one along the top and one near Jilly's house.  The first was a
dead tree collapsing, the other a healthy tree that snapped at roots.  The latter
fell on the secondary bit of fence, and sometime a little repair job will be needed.
- checked the new pond, which survived the storm and the increased stream flow.
- coppiced some willow by stream.  This had given too much shade.
- had two small bonfires finishing the brash by the stream.
- tidied up the pine logs and made safe.
- felled some marked trees along beeches avenue.  Brash left between paths.


Observations :

- Raven
- Fieldfare
- redpolls
- goldfinch
- crossbill

Other:
- david trod on hidden bit of rusted iron fence post remains, which went through the sole of his walking boots, and cut his foot.  Cleaned up and bandaged.  Concern waas whether tetanus jabs upto date or not.  He was despatched to A&E for attention., under his own steam after coffee.

Martin.

6th December 2011 --- Weekly Volunteers

Present:

John, Alan, Ron, Neil, Jonarhan, Pat, Keith and Martin

Activities:

- bonfire of second half of brash by 13th pond
- cut 4 marked pine and a birch further down stream
- completed main parts of pond dam.  Some leakages to be plugged another time.
- dug up and burned a Rhodey
- inspected marked trees along beeches avenue

- Observations :

- Raven
- 25 Crossbill
- longtailed tit, redpoll, tree creeper
- 2 buzzards
- orange peel fungi near roller stand
- dead pigmy shrew on road

Martin

29th November 2011 --- Weekly Volunteers

Present:

John, Neil, Jonathan, Alan, Pat, David, and Martin

Activities:

- burnt half the brash near 13rh pond
- cut two more marked pine down
- built a new dam on the stream just below 13th. Used a new method as the base
was pretty rocky.  Constructed effectively an irish bridge with a sloping front, and
them a log damn leaning on this, with mud to finish.  Will see how it is doing next week.
- cleared weed from mmuddy pond

Observations:

- large tit flock, wth coal, longtail, blue, goldcrest
- very windy outside the valley
- lots of fungi still


Martin

22nd November 2011 --- Weekly Volunteers

Present:

John, Ron, Neil, Johnathan, Mike, Alan, Keith, Martin, and David

Activities :
- cut more pines down near 13th pond
- made the logs secure
- looked at site for possible new pond

Observations :

- Raven
- woodcock
- goldcrest, long tailed tits, treecreeper
- meadow pipits
- jay
- jackdaw
- redpolls, fieldfare

Martin

15th November 2011 --- Weekly Volunteers

Present:

John, Neil, Ron, Mike, David and Martin

Activities:

- cuttung down yellow marked pine and birch near 13th pond.
- Brash piled for future bonfire,
- logs made safe and will be left to rot.

Observations :

- siskins, redpolls
- sparrow hawks
- even more fungi
- red admiral
- tawny owl
- crossbill
- buck calling
- nice bright cool day

Martin