present:
John, Jonathan, David a, David p, mike m, Neil, Bernard, Ray, Keith, Ron, and martin
activities:
- the bonfires of brash left over from the chainsaw courses at the bottom of sphagnum heath.
- used spare logs to reduce the flow of water off the heath
- cut the odd Christmas tree for volunteers
- looked the ponies
- helped roz take some bracken peat
- cleared the remaining nest boxes
observations:
- raven
- woodlark
- woodcock
martin
Saturday, December 5, 2015
24th November 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, Neil, mike m, Keith, David a, David p, Ray, Alan, Bernard, and martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- 3 bonfires on south heath of gorse previously cut
- some ditch work
- cutting up logs for firewood in the tool store
- brought a lot of logs into the tool store ready for next rainy day
observations:
- some logs taken
- weather not very nice to start with
- jack interested in looking at the iseki
- David a borrowing some tools for the weekend
martin
John, Neil, mike m, Keith, David a, David p, Ray, Alan, Bernard, and martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- 3 bonfires on south heath of gorse previously cut
- some ditch work
- cutting up logs for firewood in the tool store
- brought a lot of logs into the tool store ready for next rainy day
observations:
- some logs taken
- weather not very nice to start with
- jack interested in looking at the iseki
- David a borrowing some tools for the weekend
martin
17th November 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, Neil, Jonathan, Pat, mike p, mike m, David a, Keith, Ray, Bernard, Ron Stuart and martin
activities:
- pond work on the new ponds on OL1, making a cascade of small pond to retain water
- started mending the gate post near the small wooden gate. more work needed.
- fitted new lock to the south heath heave gate
- cleared the gutters of the tool store and filled the brochure box
- cleared the nest boxes on the NE side of the stream
observations
- woodlark calling
- raven
- kestrel
- storm broke just before stopping for lunch
- marsh tit
martin
John, Neil, Jonathan, Pat, mike p, mike m, David a, Keith, Ray, Bernard, Ron Stuart and martin
activities:
- pond work on the new ponds on OL1, making a cascade of small pond to retain water
- started mending the gate post near the small wooden gate. more work needed.
- fitted new lock to the south heath heave gate
- cleared the gutters of the tool store and filled the brochure box
- cleared the nest boxes on the NE side of the stream
observations
- woodlark calling
- raven
- kestrel
- storm broke just before stopping for lunch
- marsh tit
martin
10th November 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
Alan, John, Keith, Jonathan, Stuart, Neil, Bernard, Ray, mike m, mike p, Ron, Pat and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies. the limping one looks a bit better, but still limps going uphill. mark came and put out two Licks and some nuts
- pond work on muddy pond, the small pond just up from the bridge and the pond under the bridge.
- a glade was cut in OL 2, off the track from the wooded edge of the cricket field. brash piles and a stack of 4 ft logs made
- mark left a new supply of fence posts beyond the corner of the cricket field
- Ron and Martin did the first third of the nest box route clearing out the boxes
- and then helped mark chose and red spot 45 trees for the chain saw trading sessions that are shortly taking place
- pat helped two ladies fill their car boot with bracken peat from the roller stand, after responding to a freecycle offer.
observations:
- peat bags donated by jack were taken
- mark got stuck in the mud in the corner of the cricket pitch and this will need some repair
martin
Alan, John, Keith, Jonathan, Stuart, Neil, Bernard, Ray, mike m, mike p, Ron, Pat and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies. the limping one looks a bit better, but still limps going uphill. mark came and put out two Licks and some nuts
- pond work on muddy pond, the small pond just up from the bridge and the pond under the bridge.
- a glade was cut in OL 2, off the track from the wooded edge of the cricket field. brash piles and a stack of 4 ft logs made
- mark left a new supply of fence posts beyond the corner of the cricket field
- Ron and Martin did the first third of the nest box route clearing out the boxes
- and then helped mark chose and red spot 45 trees for the chain saw trading sessions that are shortly taking place
- pat helped two ladies fill their car boot with bracken peat from the roller stand, after responding to a freecycle offer.
observations:
- peat bags donated by jack were taken
- mark got stuck in the mud in the corner of the cricket pitch and this will need some repair
martin
3rd November 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, mike p, Alan, Keith, David p, David a, Ray, Neil, Stuart, Bernard, and Martin
activities:
- bonfire near the car park of last week's arisings, plus more gorse and birch cutting
- pond work on thirteenth and Irish ponds and investigated muddy pond
- collected five bags of bark chippings for mike p, and taken away
- looked the ponies. limp on brown mare worse when climbing slope. evidence of four wheel drive vehicle going around reserve and the corral built at the roller stand.
observations:
- woodlark calling
- fieldfares
- reed bunting
martin
John, mike p, Alan, Keith, David p, David a, Ray, Neil, Stuart, Bernard, and Martin
activities:
- bonfire near the car park of last week's arisings, plus more gorse and birch cutting
- pond work on thirteenth and Irish ponds and investigated muddy pond
- collected five bags of bark chippings for mike p, and taken away
- looked the ponies. limp on brown mare worse when climbing slope. evidence of four wheel drive vehicle going around reserve and the corral built at the roller stand.
observations:
- woodlark calling
- fieldfares
- reed bunting
martin
27th October 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, Jonathan, mike p, Pat, Bernard, David p, Ray, Alan, Keith and Martin
activities:
- pond work on one stump, upper and lower ponds
- pollarding birches along the top from the car park, and some gorse coppicing. brash around a future bonfire site.
- looked the ponies. one is still limping badly
- Ray checked the young deer that got hung up last week. absolutely no sign of it, so one thinks that it perhaps survived
observations
- 3 ravens
- very strangely coloured blackbird sized bird along the top. no identification yet made. possibly an aberrant jay
-woodlark singing, meadow pipits, skylarks passing through
martin
John, Jonathan, mike p, Pat, Bernard, David p, Ray, Alan, Keith and Martin
activities:
- pond work on one stump, upper and lower ponds
- pollarding birches along the top from the car park, and some gorse coppicing. brash around a future bonfire site.
- looked the ponies. one is still limping badly
- Ray checked the young deer that got hung up last week. absolutely no sign of it, so one thinks that it perhaps survived
observations
- 3 ravens
- very strangely coloured blackbird sized bird along the top. no identification yet made. possibly an aberrant jay
-woodlark singing, meadow pipits, skylarks passing through
martin
20th October 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, Jonathan, Bernard, mike m, Stuart, Alan, Pat, Ray, David a and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies. they were not altogether
- four went on a fungus foray run by martin Allison for the Eastbourne SWT group
- pond work on Amex, Frog, Haywards and one stump. the island in frog pond dug out for earth to increase the dam at Amex. below the outlet of Amex clay was dug up also to raise the banks of Amex, this creating a new small pond. the outlet on Haywards pond was cleared and maintained, and part of the bank that was also leaking water was filled in. work was also started on one stump pond, and two birch trees that were shading the area were felled and cut up
- Ray freed a deer that got hung up near the iron gate beyond the cottages along the road, which may survive though it must have got some injuries and shock. it was in hiding when we left. it looked reasonably OK, but we will have a check next week.
-the cut piece of fence was repaired
observations:
- raven
- brimstone
- very nice sunny day
martin
John, Jonathan, Bernard, mike m, Stuart, Alan, Pat, Ray, David a and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies. they were not altogether
- four went on a fungus foray run by martin Allison for the Eastbourne SWT group
- pond work on Amex, Frog, Haywards and one stump. the island in frog pond dug out for earth to increase the dam at Amex. below the outlet of Amex clay was dug up also to raise the banks of Amex, this creating a new small pond. the outlet on Haywards pond was cleared and maintained, and part of the bank that was also leaking water was filled in. work was also started on one stump pond, and two birch trees that were shading the area were felled and cut up
- Ray freed a deer that got hung up near the iron gate beyond the cottages along the road, which may survive though it must have got some injuries and shock. it was in hiding when we left. it looked reasonably OK, but we will have a check next week.
-the cut piece of fence was repaired
observations:
- raven
- brimstone
- very nice sunny day
martin
13th October 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, Keith, David a, Neil, Stuart, mike m, mike p, Bernard, Ray and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- pond work on Amex and frog ponds and the surrounding boggy bits. clearing bullying vegetation and opening things up.
- cleared some bramble around the tool store and some bramble and gorse along the road
- took some peat from the pile at the roller stand.
observation:
- dozen crossbills
- skylarks migrating
- redwings
martin
John, Keith, David a, Neil, Stuart, mike m, mike p, Bernard, Ray and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- pond work on Amex and frog ponds and the surrounding boggy bits. clearing bullying vegetation and opening things up.
- cleared some bramble around the tool store and some bramble and gorse along the road
- took some peat from the pile at the roller stand.
observation:
- dozen crossbills
- skylarks migrating
- redwings
martin
6 October 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, David a, Neil, Mike p, Mike m, Keith, Alan, Ray, and Martin
Activities:
- work on new pond on ol1, including extending path round far side, pond clearing at the top
- bramble clearing, pollarding in copse at side of tool store
- maintenance of the large green cart, and using it to bring gorse piles behind the cottages to behind the tool store
- looked the ponies
- bagged up some bark and pear for mike m
- work in the ditch along the road, digging up bramble and gorse
observations:
- weather not nice so kept near the tool store
- but not as bad as forecast
- southern hawker near pond
- some items in shop taken
Martin
John, Jonathan, David a, Neil, Mike p, Mike m, Keith, Alan, Ray, and Martin
Activities:
- work on new pond on ol1, including extending path round far side, pond clearing at the top
- bramble clearing, pollarding in copse at side of tool store
- maintenance of the large green cart, and using it to bring gorse piles behind the cottages to behind the tool store
- looked the ponies
- bagged up some bark and pear for mike m
- work in the ditch along the road, digging up bramble and gorse
observations:
- weather not nice so kept near the tool store
- but not as bad as forecast
- southern hawker near pond
- some items in shop taken
Martin
29th September 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, Keith, Bernard, Pat, mike m, mike p, Alan, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- replaced strainer, struts on a bit of fencing under the power lines which the ponies had knocked down
- with mark and Nick, cut down the birch stumps near the entrance, and a marked tree near Gilly g. Processed the brash and moved the logs back to the tool store log piles
- collected log piles from Reynard's way, breech's avenue and south heath and added to the log piles
- gorse work on south heath
- pollarding in copse near the tool store
- looked the ponies
observations
- nice day
- mike p brought some things for the shop
- passed on message that ray tantrum has died
- martin Allison will do a fungus foray on October 20, which people are welcome to join. we get this for free.
- discussed burning the bracken peat piles with mark
martin
John, Keith, Bernard, Pat, mike m, mike p, Alan, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- replaced strainer, struts on a bit of fencing under the power lines which the ponies had knocked down
- with mark and Nick, cut down the birch stumps near the entrance, and a marked tree near Gilly g. Processed the brash and moved the logs back to the tool store log piles
- collected log piles from Reynard's way, breech's avenue and south heath and added to the log piles
- gorse work on south heath
- pollarding in copse near the tool store
- looked the ponies
observations
- nice day
- mike p brought some things for the shop
- passed on message that ray tantrum has died
- martin Allison will do a fungus foray on October 20, which people are welcome to join. we get this for free.
- discussed burning the bracken peat piles with mark
martin
22nd September 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, David p, Keith, Neil, Stuart, mike p, mike m, Jonathan, Alan and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- because two ponies escape last week, added a chain to the post at the pinch gate
- some gorse work on south heath
- some more work on new dam on ol1
- cut some logs for firewood
- cleaned some tools
- John and Alan put some earth on the kissing gate surface and other maintenance, and did some similar work and drainage in front of the tool store
observations:
- weather not nice
- mike took the grass hook to sharpen it and returned the sharpened sickle.
martin
-
15th September 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John, Jonathan, Neil, Stuart, mike p, mike m, Keith, Alan, pat, and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- checked and repaired the fence from car park to roller stand
- checked and oiled all locks on same route
- removed unknown padlock from double gates
- refilled leaflet box
- made the lock and chain on the small wooden gate operative
- cut gorse on south heath. enough for two large bonfires
- dug some shallow holes in area with sundews
- completed the Dam on OL1, diverted water flowing out of small pond and cleared some of the pond weed from it
- pulled and cut pine saplings in area infront of barn owl nest box
- scythed some bracken on south heath
- mended the top wire on the heave gate
observations:
- two hobbies on ol1
- woodlarks 2
- many fungi
martin
John, Jonathan, Neil, Stuart, mike p, mike m, Keith, Alan, pat, and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- checked and repaired the fence from car park to roller stand
- checked and oiled all locks on same route
- removed unknown padlock from double gates
- refilled leaflet box
- made the lock and chain on the small wooden gate operative
- cut gorse on south heath. enough for two large bonfires
- dug some shallow holes in area with sundews
- completed the Dam on OL1, diverted water flowing out of small pond and cleared some of the pond weed from it
- pulled and cut pine saplings in area infront of barn owl nest box
- scythed some bracken on south heath
- mended the top wire on the heave gate
observations:
- two hobbies on ol1
- woodlarks 2
- many fungi
martin
8th September 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
Alan, John, Jonathan, Pat, Neil, Stuart, Bernard, Keith, Michael m, and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- finished the stile over the fence between south heath and ol1
- built a dam for the old pond on Ol1
- cleared bracken on the bird count route in Ol1
- John did some bracken digging
observations:
- hobbies, ravens, siskins, kestrel, chiffchaff, stonechat
- migrant hawker, southern hawker, speckled wood
Martin
Alan, John, Jonathan, Pat, Neil, Stuart, Bernard, Keith, Michael m, and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- finished the stile over the fence between south heath and ol1
- built a dam for the old pond on Ol1
- cleared bracken on the bird count route in Ol1
- John did some bracken digging
observations:
- hobbies, ravens, siskins, kestrel, chiffchaff, stonechat
- migrant hawker, southern hawker, speckled wood
Martin
1st September 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
Keith, Neil, Stuart, Bernard, Julie, Jonathan, and Martin. John around, but did not find us.
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- started building new stile from south heath to ol1. And removing old stile
Observations:
- Buzzard, which landed in tree on ol1. Hunting from pole?
- redpoll, marsh tit, Lt tits, nuthatch, hobby,
- on Monday, 2 spotted flycatchers, 3 grey partridges
- sundews appeared rather small
- stonechats
- Jonathan has first grandson
martin
Keith, Neil, Stuart, Bernard, Julie, Jonathan, and Martin. John around, but did not find us.
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- started building new stile from south heath to ol1. And removing old stile
Observations:
- Buzzard, which landed in tree on ol1. Hunting from pole?
- redpoll, marsh tit, Lt tits, nuthatch, hobby,
- on Monday, 2 spotted flycatchers, 3 grey partridges
- sundews appeared rather small
- stonechats
- Jonathan has first grandson
martin
25th August 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
John and grandson(5), Neil, Alan, Mike (
new guy from east grinstead), Stuart, David a, Ray and Keith
No Martin, who is ill with vertigo
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- finished the mending of Irish bridge and path over bog
- John +1 did some bracken pulling
- bracken and brash used in work
- checked stream for damage down to bridge and boundary. all looked fine
observations:
- weather broke just before lunch, with heavy rain
- Mike p going to doctors today, and did not make coffee
- green wheel barrow taken by David for a lions's do
Martin
Friday, November 6, 2015
Nightjar count at Old Lodge ... July 1st 2015
link to spreadsheet below
- had a woodcock roding on a count for the first time in a number of years.
- rather disappointing to only have one tawny owl, when we know there are more, and no barn owl which we are sure is around still.
- but the count of 8 nightjars is rather good, given that we know of two other teritories from day time records.
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Nightjar count at Old Lodge ... July 2nd 2014
link to spreadsheet below
- 7 Nightjars and 4 Tawnys
- second half of walk ( east side) was not very productive, for some reason. I suspect this is an underestimate of the pairs
- as often happens, a crazy late to bed Woodlark
- In calculating the grid reference I take into account the estimated distance and 'clock' angle from the direction of travel of the observer. columns H and I record this on the spreadsheet. So it is attempting to be an accurate position of the bird. If a second record of the same bird is made the number of birds ( # ) is given as 0. In principle this allows a form of triangulation, on the assumption that the bird has not moved too much.
martin
click for spreadsheet
Thursday, November 5, 2015
Bird Count ... 30th October 2015
link to spreadsheet below
- 33 species from 207 birds
- Keith, Ron and Martin
- delayed start because of rain for an hour. weather then picked up and was quite warm, with some sun. a bit windy to start with but then decreasing. wet under foot.
- nothing special. poor numbers
- there should have been plenty of fieldfares, but we only saw one.
- stonechats, woodlarks seem to have largely moved away, as had chaffinches
- some skylarks moving through
- no nuthatches or treecreepers
- no woodcocks
- but first greenfinches for a while
- nice flock of redpolls
- marsh tit
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 24th September 2015
link to spreadsheet below
- 38 species from 296 birds
- Keith, martin and mike m
- but windy, with some rain to start off with
- fabulous views of hobbies. parent and child playing acrobatics. at one point adult holding a bird it had caught plucked out some feathers and let them loose in the air, for the juvenile to catch. this was repeated a number of times.
- good numbers of stonechats and woodlarks
- just one redstart was seen
- two marsh tits were the first for a little while
- lots of mistle thrushes, which were difficult to count.
- passages of swallows, meadow pipits and starlings.
- plenty of birds missing, which we know are there
- a single blackcap near the tool store
martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 28th August 2015
link to spreadsheet below
- 38 species, with 285 birds
- 2 hobbies
- 4 kestrel, including 2 young, so probably just one family
- good flock of at least 11 linnets on south heath
- the regular 3 Ravens
- 17 stonechats, with losts of young ones
- swallows starting to move through with 17 for the day
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 31st July 2015
link to spreadsheat below
- 34 species
- nice sunny day with little wind
- spotted flycatcher was very active near jilly's stables
- frequent herring gulls
- buzzard young from kid's hill pretty noisy
- plenty of birds keeping quiet and not seen, including woodlark, longtailed tit, redpolls, goldcrest, thrushes, skylarks
- many immature redstarts around
- keith and ron with me
- Nuthatch and treecreepers in evidence
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 29th June 2015
link to spreadsheet below
- 44 species
- too hot, little if any wind, cloudless
- spotted flycatcher first for year
- lots of pigeons (17)
- wrens everywhere singing from the tops of trees (24)
- woodlarks hiding, only one
- pheasants all over the place (9)
- nightjar did 2 separate single churrs. Did not see obvious predator
- siskin and redpoll, presumably breeding somewhere
- heron flyover and one calling from Pippiford
- quite a lot of redstarts being fed
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 22nd May 2015
link to spreadsheet below
- 49 species. so annoying not to make 50
- nice day after a lot of cold windy days
- not many tits in evidence. Must be too busy sitting or feeding
- cuckoo with no tail was at cricket field again. Tail may be regrowing
- one buzzard was very low and looked as if it was hunting from perches.
- geese were away from ponds in neighbouring field. There was a pop concert on pippingford
- redstarts a little slow to start with, but plenty all over (23)
- hobby just heard in ol1
- house martin was late migrant?
- no ravens, bullfinches, greenfinches, but reasonable species count
- siskins were scattered all over.
- stonechats out with new families
- 8 woodlarks , 11 tree pipits
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 30th April 2015
link to spreadsheet is at the bottom
- 46 species which is pretty good. 305 birds in total.
- bit windy, with odd shower. Quite bright though, and birds moving around
- a Buzzard seems to be hunting on the reserve, and we have seen it on the ground and sitting in trees. Where will this interest take us?
- male and female kestrel is also hopeful
- garden warbler near the bridge, and a few whitethroats and a blacap were new arrivals
- cuckoos everwhere it seemed, and posing for all to see. Only a Mistle thrush seemed to be bothered. How do you count them.
- ravens not near nest site so may have left.
- lots of redstarts, with maybe more on ol2 than i remember
- lots of Jays and crows. There were 12 of the latter on boundary with the stud. Must have been something tasty.
- pheasants (11)also in abundance. Why? I think i saw a fox carrying one.
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 30th (2nd march) February 2015
link to spreadsheet is at the bottom
- 35 species
- windy and few birds to be seen or heard. cold but generally sunny.
- very few 'winter' birds such as fieldfares
- two reed buntings, though who knows if one was a little bunting or even both.
- three ravens and little clear activity at nest
- rather few finches by number, no greenfinches or linnets
- done on 30th february, due to circumstances beyond our control
Martin
click for the spreadsheeet
Bird Count ... 19th January 2015
link to spreadsheet at the bottom
- 34 species, and 279 birds involved which is not bad for January
- cold but little wind. Open ground frozen
- peregrine was a surprise
- longtailed tits had two good flocks
- plenty of pheasant
- dunnocks more visible and calling
- great spotted woodpeckers drilling and flying all over the place
- lots of herring gulls in the morning
- one lone fieldfare
- Lots of things missing that probably are here ... Woodcock, woodlark, skylark, siskin, pied wag, etc
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 19th December 2014
link to spreadsheet at the bottom
- 29 species and just 175 birds seen
- almost trod on woodcock
- sparrow hawk had made kill
- clear sky for the most part, with fab sunset. A little cold and windy ( nw )
- Ian and Ron with me. Keith called in sick
- plenty of birds missing, including fieldfare, tree creeper, buzzard, long tailed tit, herring gull.
- Nothing moving about.
- plenty of reed buntings
- no sign of dartford warbler, though there have been sightings
- 3 Ravens at nest site. One child helper?
- owl box in owl wood needs mending again
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 20th November 2014
link to spreadsheet at bottom
- 34 species
- including a single woodlark. Quite late to be still here at the top of ashdown forest.
- good weather, plenty of blue sky and no wind. A bit cool. Hardly late november.
- winter migrants, with all usual thrushes
- one woodcock
- no brambling, tree creeper or skylark
- as always quieter immediately after lunch
- saw a bright yellow slime mould on some dry grass
- flock of 12+ goldfinch above me as i write this, waiting to be fed
- keith and ron with me today
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 27th October 2014
link to spreadsheet at bottom
- 32 species
- bit windy, but lots of sun
- 32 species was not bad given few winter visitors
- single brambling was nice, eating mast crushed by our cars
- barn owl looks likely to be in residence, but did not see it
- lots of birds not seen, but undoubtedly present
- skylarks and meadow pipits probably moving through
- reed buntings back for winter
- saw a number of dragonflies, including southern hawker, common darter
- 3 slow worms
- forwarder has done a thorough job
- log pile now being taken away, i think
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 29th September 2014
link to spreadsheet at bottom
- 39 species observed, with an amazing 426 birds seen, though mostly from two groups of swallows and house martins moving through on migration. Also birds emerging after moulting and practicing song again.
- First grey wagtail for a bit. Quite normal to see them at this time, dispersing from nesting site. Similarly marsh tit.
- Meadow pipits are one of the first winter arrivals with 28
- dull, showery, warm, light breezes
- migrating birds -- meadow pipits, swallows, martins, wood pigeons, starlings, mistle thrushes
- no real winter birds yet
- but most of summer birds gone
- 2 slow worms, some dragonflies
- some good chestnuts
- woodlarks singing
- 2 sparrowhawks
- no longtailed tit, greenfinch, siskin, crossbill, buzzard, woodcock, stock dove, jackdaw, reed bunting, tawney owl or yellow hammer. Which would have made 50
- nice lot of stone chats
martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 28th August 2014
link to spreadsheet at bottom of page
33 species observed, with 212 birds altogether.
slightly disappointing day, with nothing particular
3 Ravens and one hobby are highlights
lots of species are certainly present, but not showing. Moulting still.
martin
click for spreadsheet
33 species observed, with 212 birds altogether.
slightly disappointing day, with nothing particular
3 Ravens and one hobby are highlights
lots of species are certainly present, but not showing. Moulting still.
martin
click for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 25th July 2014
link to spreadsheet at bottom of page
35 species observed. The numbers sometimes drop with the breeding over and moulting starting.
The linnet numbers this year at 12 were good for the reserve.
Mistle thrushes are early breeders, and sometimes congregate at Old Lodge. Having 17 at this stage is probably normal. There is another peak later in the autumn with continental influxes.
Stonechats numbers at 15 are bolstered by young and/or second broods
only 217 birds observed, and probably far more hiding in the bracken.
Martin
click for spreadsheet
35 species observed. The numbers sometimes drop with the breeding over and moulting starting.
The linnet numbers this year at 12 were good for the reserve.
Mistle thrushes are early breeders, and sometimes congregate at Old Lodge. Having 17 at this stage is probably normal. There is another peak later in the autumn with continental influxes.
Stonechats numbers at 15 are bolstered by young and/or second broods
only 217 birds observed, and probably far more hiding in the bracken.
Martin
click for spreadsheet
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Bird Count ... 19th June 2014
a link tothe spreadsheet of the observations is at the bottom.
43 species counted.
a surprising number of blackcap 10, mostly male and singing. And whitethroats at 8 were a good number of these later arrivals.
Great spotted woodpecker also achieved 10, which seems more than normal to be observed, maybe this is driven by feeding young? similarly nuthatch at 7, and tree creeper at 4
Redstart at 19 was perfectly respectable, as were stonechat at 17.
Woodlark and tree pipit in usual places but the numbers could have been higher.
As usual the odd yellowhammer and redpoll around and possibly breeding.
A grand total of 320 birds for the day. Or about one a minute.
Martin
click here for spreadsheet
43 species counted.
a surprising number of blackcap 10, mostly male and singing. And whitethroats at 8 were a good number of these later arrivals.
Great spotted woodpecker also achieved 10, which seems more than normal to be observed, maybe this is driven by feeding young? similarly nuthatch at 7, and tree creeper at 4
Redstart at 19 was perfectly respectable, as were stonechat at 17.
Woodlark and tree pipit in usual places but the numbers could have been higher.
As usual the odd yellowhammer and redpoll around and possibly breeding.
A grand total of 320 birds for the day. Or about one a minute.
Martin
click here for spreadsheet
Bird Count ... 15th May 2014
link to details below
Martin and Keith
Weather good, with very little wind. Birds singing all over the place.
Recorded 50 species, though this includes feral pigeon
Highlight was my first Lapwing for the reserve. It was calling and flying in a purposeful way, not just going from a to b. Is it nesting nearby? I guess so.
Plenty of species, including buzzard, Tawny Owl, Kestrel, Raven, garden warbler, heron, cuckoo, stock dove.
Still many missing. Where was greenfinch, Jackdaw, mistle thrush, tuesday's firecrest, woodcock, this months mandarin duck?
A broad bodied chaser and slowworm add to the bounty.
Lots of stock doves in pairs, including one out of a beech tree hole.
Looked out for spotted flycatcher and turtle dove, but nil
Family party of long tailed tits, parent ravens plus one, pheasant egg shells, blackbird egg shells.
Martin
click here for spreadsheet
Thursday, August 20, 2015
18th August 2015 ... weekly volunteers
present:
Keith, Pat, David a, Neil, Stuart, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- tried but failed to look the ponies. heard one. Looked successfully on wednesday.
- tried to seal stony pond by brushing the clay/sand surface
- pollarded fallen tree over Level pond, used logs and brash together with cut bracken to repair Irish bridge and path across boggy area of ponds
Observations:
- three Raft spiders
- raven
- common darter
- new people in first top lodge
- redstarts
Martin
Keith, Pat, David a, Neil, Stuart, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- tried but failed to look the ponies. heard one. Looked successfully on wednesday.
- tried to seal stony pond by brushing the clay/sand surface
- pollarded fallen tree over Level pond, used logs and brash together with cut bracken to repair Irish bridge and path across boggy area of ponds
Observations:
- three Raft spiders
- raven
- common darter
- new people in first top lodge
- redstarts
Martin
11th August 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Pat, David a, Keith, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- looked ponies and moved them with Mark's help from SH to main reserve. 2 salt licks near trough put out.
- finished clearance of stoney pond and did clay puddling of its bottom
Observations:
- large birch fallen over onto level pond. Not sure if it will die or not
- dead adder on road. Run over
- raven, deer
- visitor described seeing 2 roe deer
- crossbills? Or Goldfinches??
- discussed bbq
- 6 more konics coming soon, and staying till autumn
- cattle possibly for winter ( possibly from conservators)
Martin
Pat, David a, Keith, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- looked ponies and moved them with Mark's help from SH to main reserve. 2 salt licks near trough put out.
- finished clearance of stoney pond and did clay puddling of its bottom
Observations:
- large birch fallen over onto level pond. Not sure if it will die or not
- dead adder on road. Run over
- raven, deer
- visitor described seeing 2 roe deer
- crossbills? Or Goldfinches??
- discussed bbq
- 6 more konics coming soon, and staying till autumn
- cattle possibly for winter ( possibly from conservators)
Martin
4th August 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Jonathan, Stuart, Pat, Bernard, Julie, David a, David p, Ray , Keith and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- dug out much of silt from stoney pond, which was dry
- pulled odds bits of ragwort
Observations
- Raven
- buzzards
- 2 patches of dodder in flower along top
- leeks in and out of shop. Place mats taken.
Martin
Jonathan, Stuart, Pat, Bernard, Julie, David a, David p, Ray , Keith and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- dug out much of silt from stoney pond, which was dry
- pulled odds bits of ragwort
Observations
- Raven
- buzzards
- 2 patches of dodder in flower along top
- leeks in and out of shop. Place mats taken.
Martin
28th July 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Alan, Bernard, Julie, Pat, David a, David p, Keith, Neil and Martin
Activities:
- cleared car park border with road of bracken, and reinstated the two SWT notices. They need to be replaced, but cannot wait for new signage.
- looked the ponies.
- bracken clearing along beeches avenue and west to boundaries and down to stream. Some work done on OL2 and south heath.
- big ragwort taken off SH.
Observations:
- adder on plateau
- crossbill
- Buzzards including young? On forester's cottage
- nightjar put up off ground
- ringlet (monday), gatekeepers, m browns, common blue
- ling coming out
- plenty of bilberry berries
Martin
John, Jonathan, Alan, Bernard, Julie, Pat, David a, David p, Keith, Neil and Martin
Activities:
- cleared car park border with road of bracken, and reinstated the two SWT notices. They need to be replaced, but cannot wait for new signage.
- looked the ponies.
- bracken clearing along beeches avenue and west to boundaries and down to stream. Some work done on OL2 and south heath.
- big ragwort taken off SH.
Observations:
- adder on plateau
- crossbill
- Buzzards including young? On forester's cottage
- nightjar put up off ground
- ringlet (monday), gatekeepers, m browns, common blue
- ling coming out
- plenty of bilberry berries
Martin
21st July 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Mike, Stuart, Keith, David a, Pat, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- looked Ponies
- bracken over wide area north and east of stream
- did an investigation of stoney pond with idea of digging it out
- took out one bit of ragwort near amex pond
- cleared pipe under path near boundary there
Observations:
- azures, c darter, emporer, bb chaser, l red
- meadow browns, gatekeepers, l skippers
- bog cotton, bog asphedil
- fox
- lixards, slow worm
- Nightjar disturbed and churring once
Martin
John, Alan, Mike, Stuart, Keith, David a, Pat, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- looked Ponies
- bracken over wide area north and east of stream
- did an investigation of stoney pond with idea of digging it out
- took out one bit of ragwort near amex pond
- cleared pipe under path near boundary there
Observations:
- azures, c darter, emporer, bb chaser, l red
- meadow browns, gatekeepers, l skippers
- bog cotton, bog asphedil
- fox
- lixards, slow worm
- Nightjar disturbed and churring once
Martin
14th July 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Pat, Stuart, Neil, Keith, Ray, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- refilled brochure box
- Ragwort pulling of flowering plants on tracks west of stream, including ol1
- added extra wire to heave gate on south heath, as ponies looked rather tall against original wiring
- bracken pulling over same area, including some scything along m1 and on cricket pitch part of ol2
- put in queeze gate at cross roads
Observations:
- nice large female adder on tin above the chestnut wood. Photo taken as it left
- Raven
- tree pipit
- crossbills, others have been seen recently
- buzzard
- lots of l skippers
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Pat, Stuart, Neil, Keith, Ray, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- refilled brochure box
- Ragwort pulling of flowering plants on tracks west of stream, including ol1
- added extra wire to heave gate on south heath, as ponies looked rather tall against original wiring
- bracken pulling over same area, including some scything along m1 and on cricket pitch part of ol2
- put in queeze gate at cross roads
Observations:
- nice large female adder on tin above the chestnut wood. Photo taken as it left
- Raven
- tree pipit
- crossbills, others have been seen recently
- buzzard
- lots of l skippers
Martin
7th July 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Mike, Keith, Neil, Stuart, David p, David a, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- looked ponies
- fencing work between sh and ol1. 3 new posts and a lot of staples, and wire tightening.
- bracken cutting along bank on sh
- replenished brochures
- cutting along path to car park
- bracken work by John on main reserve near cottages
- logs from pile near copse all brought into tractor shed.
- most of logs cut
- tools cleaned sharpened and oiled
- gutters cleared
- Bramble new shoots lopered around shed
Observations:
- weather forcast not good and there was some heavy rain, but not as bad as forcast
- windy
- toad found in keiths boot. Moved to copse, as there are known to be toads around cottages.
Martin
John, Mike, Keith, Neil, Stuart, David p, David a, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- looked ponies
- fencing work between sh and ol1. 3 new posts and a lot of staples, and wire tightening.
- bracken cutting along bank on sh
- replenished brochures
- cutting along path to car park
- bracken work by John on main reserve near cottages
- logs from pile near copse all brought into tractor shed.
- most of logs cut
- tools cleaned sharpened and oiled
- gutters cleared
- Bramble new shoots lopered around shed
Observations:
- weather forcast not good and there was some heavy rain, but not as bad as forcast
- windy
- toad found in keiths boot. Moved to copse, as there are known to be toads around cottages.
Martin
30th June 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Ray, Keith, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- looked ponies
- bracken and ragwort behind cottages, towards Reynards Way
- clearing rides in ol2 of bracken, birch and other obstructions, starting at cricket pitch.
- ragwort clearing at pitch and some bracken around cricket wood
- ragwort along road
Observations:
- locking of sh gate insecure and redone
- woodlark, lt tits, pied wagtail, herring gull
- migrant hawker
- meadow browns, l skippers
- Jonathan saw a barn owl near the nest box
- cuckoo
Martin
John, Alan, Ray, Keith, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- looked ponies
- bracken and ragwort behind cottages, towards Reynards Way
- clearing rides in ol2 of bracken, birch and other obstructions, starting at cricket pitch.
- ragwort clearing at pitch and some bracken around cricket wood
- ragwort along road
Observations:
- locking of sh gate insecure and redone
- woodlark, lt tits, pied wagtail, herring gull
- migrant hawker
- meadow browns, l skippers
- Jonathan saw a barn owl near the nest box
- cuckoo
Martin
23rd June 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, David p, David a, Ray, Stuart, Neil, Keith, and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- ragwork clearing on m1 and cricket pitch. Arisings safely hidden in brash pile on ol2
- bracken pulling, slashing and scything under power lines across reserve, down stream, up to cross roads and back along beeches avenue and south heath
Observations:
- Shop cleared of Torrie's chairs and keith's lettuces, and a ground sheet
- probable stonechat nest with 4 blue eggs
- tree pipits, redstarts, woodlark, hobby
Martin
John, David p, David a, Ray, Stuart, Neil, Keith, and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- ragwork clearing on m1 and cricket pitch. Arisings safely hidden in brash pile on ol2
- bracken pulling, slashing and scything under power lines across reserve, down stream, up to cross roads and back along beeches avenue and south heath
Observations:
- Shop cleared of Torrie's chairs and keith's lettuces, and a ground sheet
- probable stonechat nest with 4 blue eggs
- tree pipits, redstarts, woodlark, hobby
Martin
16th June 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Neil, Stuart, Alan, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies, which are now on SH
- bracken pulling, along beeches avenue, down to stream and up to stoney pond, then onto west pond
- bracken slashing along stream
- adjusted small wooden gate and squeeze gate
Observations;
- shop still doing good trade. 7 chairs donated by tory's son
- bmw taken away on low loader. Garage now clear.
- mike's birthday chocolates
- crossbills, whitethroat, 2 ravens, buzzard, kestrel,
Redpolls, tree creeper, nuthatch, redstarts
- s heath, l skipper
- azures, l reds, bb chaser, 4 spot
- nice weather for once
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Neil, Stuart, Alan, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies, which are now on SH
- bracken pulling, along beeches avenue, down to stream and up to stoney pond, then onto west pond
- bracken slashing along stream
- adjusted small wooden gate and squeeze gate
Observations;
- shop still doing good trade. 7 chairs donated by tory's son
- bmw taken away on low loader. Garage now clear.
- mike's birthday chocolates
- crossbills, whitethroat, 2 ravens, buzzard, kestrel,
Redpolls, tree creeper, nuthatch, redstarts
- s heath, l skipper
- azures, l reds, bb chaser, 4 spot
- nice weather for once
Martin
9th June 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Mike, John, Alan, David a, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- looked ponies
- strengthened the small wooden gate
- nestbox survey
- bracken pulling and scything over much of sw from stream
Observations:
- redstarts, cuckoo, bullfinch, tree pipit, woodlarks
- slow worm
Martin
Mike, John, Alan, David a, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- looked ponies
- strengthened the small wooden gate
- nestbox survey
- bracken pulling and scything over much of sw from stream
Observations:
- redstarts, cuckoo, bullfinch, tree pipit, woodlarks
- slow worm
Martin
2nd June 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Alan, Neil, Stuart, Keith, David w (new) and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- John did some bracken, pine and birch pulling along the top bank, and behind the cottages
- set and sharpened some saws
- cut and split some logs
- replaced the strainer that had broken near stone pillar up the drive of the tool store, and added an extra fence post and strut.
Observations:
- horrid weather with high wind and rain
- shop had successful day
Martin
John, Jonathan, Alan, Neil, Stuart, Keith, David w (new) and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- John did some bracken, pine and birch pulling along the top bank, and behind the cottages
- set and sharpened some saws
- cut and split some logs
- replaced the strainer that had broken near stone pillar up the drive of the tool store, and added an extra fence post and strut.
Observations:
- horrid weather with high wind and rain
- shop had successful day
Martin
Sunday, June 7, 2015
26th May 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Alan, Ray, Neil, Stuart, Keith, Mike,
David p and martin
Activities:
- looked ponies
- nestbox survey
- birch and bracken opposite foresters cottage down to stream
Observations:
- tree creeper family
- young nuthatches in nest
- Ray's birthday cake/biscuits
- mikes 1910 map
- old axe taken by Keith from shop
Martin
John, Jonathan, Alan, Ray, Neil, Stuart, Keith, Mike,
David p and martin
Activities:
- looked ponies
- nestbox survey
- birch and bracken opposite foresters cottage down to stream
Observations:
- tree creeper family
- young nuthatches in nest
- Ray's birthday cake/biscuits
- mikes 1910 map
- old axe taken by Keith from shop
Martin
19th May 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, David a, Stuart, Keith, Mike, Ray and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- bracken pulling along top, South heath, north of road down bank and slightly into beeches avenue
- made two squeeze type gates on south part of central fence
Observations:
- sparrow hawk, Kestrel, 3 swallows
- wood lark, redstart, green woodpecker
- new stonechat family, 2 ads 3 juvs at least
- cuckoo
- heavy showers, so kept near tool store
- shop restocked, sold out, restocked and almost sold out again
Martin
John, Alan, David a, Stuart, Keith, Mike, Ray and Martin
activities:
- looked the ponies
- bracken pulling along top, South heath, north of road down bank and slightly into beeches avenue
- made two squeeze type gates on south part of central fence
Observations:
- sparrow hawk, Kestrel, 3 swallows
- wood lark, redstart, green woodpecker
- new stonechat family, 2 ads 3 juvs at least
- cuckoo
- heavy showers, so kept near tool store
- shop restocked, sold out, restocked and almost sold out again
Martin
12th May 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Ray, Keith, David a, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- nestbox survey
- looked the ponies
- bracken pulling along beeches avenue
- raised barb along boundary with Pippingford
- put in two strands of barb along bank to west of heave gate
Observations:
- bb chaser
- Woodlarks, tree pipits
- cuckoos male and female
- 3 ravens
- whitethroats
- redstarts
- possible adder
- 2 slow worms
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Ray, Keith, David a, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- nestbox survey
- looked the ponies
- bracken pulling along beeches avenue
- raised barb along boundary with Pippingford
- put in two strands of barb along bank to west of heave gate
Observations:
- bb chaser
- Woodlarks, tree pipits
- cuckoos male and female
- 3 ravens
- whitethroats
- redstarts
- possible adder
- 2 slow worms
Martin
5th May 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Keith and Martin Mark as well
Activities:
- lookered the ponies. One lame, Mark handling it
- moved logs to wood store
- reorganised existing small log piles
- collected some bark for mark
- sawed up a few logs
Observations
- v windy
- wet last night
- but ok
- sparrow hawk, cuckoo, g woodpecker, Jay
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Keith and Martin Mark as well
Activities:
- lookered the ponies. One lame, Mark handling it
- moved logs to wood store
- reorganised existing small log piles
- collected some bark for mark
- sawed up a few logs
Observations
- v windy
- wet last night
- but ok
- sparrow hawk, cuckoo, g woodpecker, Jay
Martin
28th April 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, David a, David p, Ray, Neil, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- bramble work along road
- birch coppicing in OL2
- lookered ponies
- some bracken work on M1
- first birdnest survey
Observations:
- 3 Ravens
- Keith saw Osprey
- buzzard on ground behind tool store
- crazy nestbox wired to tree behind tool store on SH has blue tit with 7 eggs
- Hobby seen yesterday
- 3 buzzards around
- lots of cock pheasants
- tree pipits, woodlarks
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, David a, David p, Ray, Neil, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- bramble work along road
- birch coppicing in OL2
- lookered ponies
- some bracken work on M1
- first birdnest survey
Observations:
- 3 Ravens
- Keith saw Osprey
- buzzard on ground behind tool store
- crazy nestbox wired to tree behind tool store on SH has blue tit with 7 eggs
- Hobby seen yesterday
- 3 buzzards around
- lots of cock pheasants
- tree pipits, woodlarks
Martin
21st April 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Mike, Alan, Keith, David a, Ray, Stuart, Neil and Martin
Activities:
- work along road on bramble and gorse
- rewired and adjusted kissing gate at entrance. It had got a little difficult to open
- checked nest boxes on second half. There are now a few nests of tits.
- lookered ponies
Observations
- tree pipits, male brambling last thursday, redstarts
- lots of bog beacons at swamp
- Visitor saw hobby
Martin
John, Mike, Alan, Keith, David a, Ray, Stuart, Neil and Martin
Activities:
- work along road on bramble and gorse
- rewired and adjusted kissing gate at entrance. It had got a little difficult to open
- checked nest boxes on second half. There are now a few nests of tits.
- lookered ponies
Observations
- tree pipits, male brambling last thursday, redstarts
- lots of bog beacons at swamp
- Visitor saw hobby
Martin
14th April 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Andrew, Alan, Keith, Neil, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- some bramble work in ditch along the road
- lookered ponies
- checked nestboxes from cricket field to beeches avenue
- put up mended box at batter's hill
- cutting birch on ol2
Observations:
- willow warblers, tree pipits, chiffchaff, cuckoo, buzzard, ravens on nest, woodlarks, lots of redstarts, nuthatch, bullfinch, redpolls, herring gulls, jackdaws, pied wagtails, linnets
- brimestone, peacock
- wood ants everywhere
- adder
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Andrew, Alan, Keith, Neil, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- some bramble work in ditch along the road
- lookered ponies
- checked nestboxes from cricket field to beeches avenue
- put up mended box at batter's hill
- cutting birch on ol2
Observations:
- willow warblers, tree pipits, chiffchaff, cuckoo, buzzard, ravens on nest, woodlarks, lots of redstarts, nuthatch, bullfinch, redpolls, herring gulls, jackdaws, pied wagtails, linnets
- brimestone, peacock
- wood ants everywhere
- adder
Martin
7th April 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Jonathan, Alan, Pat, Mike, Stuart, David p, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- put in 3 extra posts along road where panicking deer smashed down the fence breaking the posts
- checked nest boxes upto cricket field
- birch cutting and de-tubing on ol2
- some work on beeches avenue ruts
- lookered the ponies
Observations:
- chiffchaffs everywhere
- Redstart singing by roller stand
- cuckoo
- Ravens' nest found
- Buzzards
- woodlark plus food near roller stand
Martin
31st March 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Pat, Ray, David p, Stuart, Mike and Martin
Activities:
- gorse work along road
- lookered ponies
- inspected reserve for storm damage ... None
- took down most of fallen birch just north of stone pillars. Wood added to piles behind store
- work on ol2 clearing birch, including removing tubes constricting trees
Observations:
- Raven attacking Buzzard
- Woodlark
- chiffchaff
- pied wagtail, long tailed tits
- shop sold out almost
- flapjack and cakes from Stuart and mini-cream eggs from Alan much appreciated
Martin
24th March 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Neil, Mike, Pat, Bernard, Alan, Ian and Martin
Activities:
- ring barked about 20 trees in wood north east of the causeway and a few upstream
- pulled pine saplings near barn owl nest box, and marked 6 for keeping
- cut more birch on ol2
- put down some sand and pebbles in front of tool store
- lookered ponies
- cut some gorse regrowth along road on north side
- continued sharpening some chisels
Observations:
- yellow hammer
- ponies chewing plum tree bark behind cottages
- buzzard v Raven
- Alan and Mark sharing thursday lookering
- some of ring barked trees had yellow spots
Martin
17th March 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Ian, David a, and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies (difficult)
- sawed firewood
- brought in more wood from the stacks
- cut birch on OL2, stacking logs and making habitat piles
- oiled some locks on the way
- filled the brochures box. Now out of stock
- considered how to take down broken birch on bank north of stone pillar. Work for next week
- John did work along ditch with gorse and bramble and also roller stand with hardcore
Observations:
- tree creepers singing
- dunnocks
- buzzard seen off By Raven
- woodlarks and skylarks
- lots of singing
- ice cream van gone
- shop stock just castors and bird feeder
Martin
10th March 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Mike, Neil, David a, Ray, Ian, Keith, Pat, Jonathan and MartinActivities:
- lookered ponies- marked 23 young trees to keep in eastern part of reserve
- ring barked about 18 trees and pollarded 7 trees in area south of swamp
- did conservation work on ol2, opening up area, by clearing small birch. Log stacks near M1. Brash made into habitat piles.
- more hardcore at roller stand
- gravel at tool store
Observations:
- woodlarks, Ravens- Gsw drumming
- skylark
- buzzard
- plastic wheelbarrow mended
- tame pheasants
- 2 mallard
- cakes for Keith's big birthday
- Jonathan will share friday lookering with Ray
Sunday, March 15, 2015
6th May 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Jonathan, Keith, Ray, Neil, David a, Mike and Martin
Activities:
- second half of nestbox survey
- pulled birch sapplings on slope below roller stand
- pulled bracken on M1
- took some peat from roller stand
- continued fencing work across middle of reserve, including taking off low barb and testing heave gates
- lookered ponies
- Keith returned rebuilt fire beaters
Observations:
- one slow worm
- 15 crossbills
- woodlarks, tree pipits
- sparrowhawk
- herring gulls
- raven
- cuckoo
- redpoll
Martin
John, Alan, Jonathan, Keith, Ray, Neil, David a, Mike and Martin
Activities:
- second half of nestbox survey
- pulled birch sapplings on slope below roller stand
- pulled bracken on M1
- took some peat from roller stand
- continued fencing work across middle of reserve, including taking off low barb and testing heave gates
- lookered ponies
- Keith returned rebuilt fire beaters
Observations:
- one slow worm
- 15 crossbills
- woodlarks, tree pipits
- sparrowhawk
- herring gulls
- raven
- cuckoo
- redpoll
Martin
29th April 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Alan, Stuart, David a, Mike, Keith, Jonathan, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies
- first half of nest boxes
- ragwort pulled from back of top lodge
- filled brochures
- remade the fire beater stand at car park entrance
- started mending, strengthening etc fence across reserve. Taking out the bottom bared wire
- put back 2 mended nest boxes
- repaired latch on one of gates
- sawed some fire wood
- brought some old fence wood back for firewood
- cut and debarked two chestnut firebeater handles for future repairs
Observations:
- woodcock
- sparrow hawk
- garden warbler
- raven
- redstarts, woodlarks, tree pipits, crossbills
Martin
Alan, Stuart, David a, Mike, Keith, Jonathan, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies
- first half of nest boxes
- ragwort pulled from back of top lodge
- filled brochures
- remade the fire beater stand at car park entrance
- started mending, strengthening etc fence across reserve. Taking out the bottom bared wire
- put back 2 mended nest boxes
- repaired latch on one of gates
- sawed some fire wood
- brought some old fence wood back for firewood
- cut and debarked two chestnut firebeater handles for future repairs
Observations:
- woodcock
- sparrow hawk
- garden warbler
- raven
- redstarts, woodlarks, tree pipits, crossbills
Martin
22nd April 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Stuart, Ray, Keith, David p, Alan and Martin
Activities:
- filled trust brochure box
- brought back broken fire beater stand from outside car park
- Pulled, lopped birch and pine saplings along Reynard's way
- checked and did some repairs along central fence.
- reinstated wooden slot gate opposite causeway
- ring barked a pine near Reynard's boundary ditch
- oiled and tested combination locks on southern part of reserve. One by car park swopped out for repair
- cut some logs for Stuart
- lookered ponies
- did ragworts along road
- inspected the tins for reptiles
Observations:
- blackcap
- male and female cuckoo
- tree pipits , woodlarks
- swallows
- Mandarin duck (f) flew across sphagnum heath and landed in stream/pond
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Stuart, Ray, Keith, David p, Alan and Martin
Activities:
- filled trust brochure box
- brought back broken fire beater stand from outside car park
- Pulled, lopped birch and pine saplings along Reynard's way
- checked and did some repairs along central fence.
- reinstated wooden slot gate opposite causeway
- ring barked a pine near Reynard's boundary ditch
- oiled and tested combination locks on southern part of reserve. One by car park swopped out for repair
- cut some logs for Stuart
- lookered ponies
- did ragworts along road
- inspected the tins for reptiles
Observations:
- blackcap
- male and female cuckoo
- tree pipits , woodlarks
- swallows
- Mandarin duck (f) flew across sphagnum heath and landed in stream/pond
Martin
Saturday, March 14, 2015
3rd March 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
David a, David p, Neil, Stuart, Ian, Pat, Keith, Jonathan, John, Mike, Bernard, Ray, Alan and Martin
Activities:
- gorse bonfire of Sunday groups cuttings
- finished gorse cutting in triangle
- lookered ponies
- filled pamphlet box
- put up 4 nest boxes
- finished making log nest box
- gully work on M1
- rut work on beeches avenue
- mud clearance outside tool store
- pollarding holly in copse beside store
- cut firewood and brought more logs into tractor shed
- took down dead pine on m1, which was unstable and near public area
Observations:
- ravens
- woodlarks
Martin
David a, David p, Neil, Stuart, Ian, Pat, Keith, Jonathan, John, Mike, Bernard, Ray, Alan and Martin
Activities:
- gorse bonfire of Sunday groups cuttings
- finished gorse cutting in triangle
- lookered ponies
- filled pamphlet box
- put up 4 nest boxes
- finished making log nest box
- gully work on M1
- rut work on beeches avenue
- mud clearance outside tool store
- pollarding holly in copse beside store
- cut firewood and brought more logs into tractor shed
- took down dead pine on m1, which was unstable and near public area
Observations:
- ravens
- woodlarks
Martin
24th February 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Pat, Neil, Stuart, Ray, Alan, Bernard, David a, David p and Martin
Activities:
- cut some holly behind the tool store, keeping some logs
- made safe a fallen pine along eastern boundary. This was a dead tree from the four counties fire. No damage to the fence. Trunk now parallel to boundary, arisings in 3 habitat piles
- lookered ponies
- collected bark from both tool shed and roller stand and moved to entrance path through kissing gate
- repair work to vehicle damage at roller stand and beeches avenue
- put in 6 posts to support fence behind cottages
Observations
- woodlarks
- windy, but nice out of wind
- a few little bunting twitchers
- 2 ravens
- skylark
- successful Norfolk jumble sale
- tree creeper
- ponies eating bark from low horizontal beech branches, a montana clemitis at cottage, nettle roots
- lots of pheasants (males)
- apparently numerous dartfords at friends clump, and so quite close.
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Pat, Neil, Stuart, Ray, Alan, Bernard, David a, David p and Martin
Activities:
- cut some holly behind the tool store, keeping some logs
- made safe a fallen pine along eastern boundary. This was a dead tree from the four counties fire. No damage to the fence. Trunk now parallel to boundary, arisings in 3 habitat piles
- lookered ponies
- collected bark from both tool shed and roller stand and moved to entrance path through kissing gate
- repair work to vehicle damage at roller stand and beeches avenue
- put in 6 posts to support fence behind cottages
Observations
- woodlarks
- windy, but nice out of wind
- a few little bunting twitchers
- 2 ravens
- skylark
- successful Norfolk jumble sale
- tree creeper
- ponies eating bark from low horizontal beech branches, a montana clemitis at cottage, nettle roots
- lots of pheasants (males)
- apparently numerous dartfords at friends clump, and so quite close.
Martin
17th February 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Neil, Ray, Mike, Keith, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies below bench
- put up 5 mended nestboxes, mended a couple in situ, and brought back 2 for Keith to mend
- turned on water for ponies
- cut some birch logs from tree just ne of stone pillars
- gathered some bark at roller stand for volunteer perks
- cut and burned some gorse on south heath
- burned some gorse in situ with John's flame thrower as experiment
- created under path culvert at the cross roads, to ensure water is kept off the paths
Observations:
- lots of twitchers looking at a little bunting at the roller stand. In flock of dozen reed buntings
- ravens
- buzzard being chased away
- cess pool overflowing
Martin
John, Alan, Neil, Ray, Mike, Keith, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies below bench
- put up 5 mended nestboxes, mended a couple in situ, and brought back 2 for Keith to mend
- turned on water for ponies
- cut some birch logs from tree just ne of stone pillars
- gathered some bark at roller stand for volunteer perks
- cut and burned some gorse on south heath
- burned some gorse in situ with John's flame thrower as experiment
- created under path culvert at the cross roads, to ensure water is kept off the paths
Observations:
- lots of twitchers looking at a little bunting at the roller stand. In flock of dozen reed buntings
- ravens
- buzzard being chased away
- cess pool overflowing
Martin
10th February 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Alan, Keith, Mike, Ray, David a, Stuart, Ian, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- put up barn owl nest box, which Keith made, near the pillow mound behind cottages
- pulled a few saplings there
- two brash fires from Jim's arisings
- cut down some of birch that Jim did not do
- checked some of the first nest boxes, bring one back to be mended
- lookered the 5 ponies
- took down broken car park sign
Observations:
- 2 woodlarks singing
- ravens
- tawny owl
- woodcock
- siskins
- a veteran other side of sphagnum heath has lost one large leader.
- something is eating the soft rush... Ponies?
- getting quite dry for bonfires
- some of flame thrown gorse is dying
- ray going to looker this Friday
Martin
John, Jonathan, Alan, Keith, Mike, Ray, David a, Stuart, Ian, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- put up barn owl nest box, which Keith made, near the pillow mound behind cottages
- pulled a few saplings there
- two brash fires from Jim's arisings
- cut down some of birch that Jim did not do
- checked some of the first nest boxes, bring one back to be mended
- lookered the 5 ponies
- took down broken car park sign
Observations:
- 2 woodlarks singing
- ravens
- tawny owl
- woodcock
- siskins
- a veteran other side of sphagnum heath has lost one large leader.
- something is eating the soft rush... Ponies?
- getting quite dry for bonfires
- some of flame thrown gorse is dying
- ray going to looker this Friday
Martin
3rd February 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Ray, Ian, Pat, David a, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- 3 bonfires in wood at bottom of sphagnum heath where Jim had been working. At least two more to be done there
- moved some pine logs to form berms in the boggy areas. Partly to slow the run off.
observations:
- 3 Ravens
- some norfolk produce distributed
- rangers having big fire just other side of boundary from ol1
- some fire wood taken
Martin
John, Jonathan, Ray, Ian, Pat, David a, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- 3 bonfires in wood at bottom of sphagnum heath where Jim had been working. At least two more to be done there
- moved some pine logs to form berms in the boggy areas. Partly to slow the run off.
observations:
- 3 Ravens
- some norfolk produce distributed
- rangers having big fire just other side of boundary from ol1
- some fire wood taken
Martin
27th January 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Alan, Mike, Pat, Ray, Neil, David p, David a, Ian, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- John did bit of work on tracks near roller stand
- bonfire of gorse and birch at end of pillow mound behind cottages
- pollarding previously pollarded birch trees nearby
- pollard 2 new birches, one pulling its roots out, and the other being swamped by a pine
- stacked firewood on Reynard's way
Observations:
- 2 woodlarks singing and flying
- 3 buzzards
- Raven
- lots of reed buntings
- hen harrier (female) on way home
- distributed some tools and products from house clearance
- talked to Jim and two chainsaw pupils
Martin
John, Jonathan, Alan, Mike, Pat, Ray, Neil, David p, David a, Ian, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- John did bit of work on tracks near roller stand
- bonfire of gorse and birch at end of pillow mound behind cottages
- pollarding previously pollarded birch trees nearby
- pollard 2 new birches, one pulling its roots out, and the other being swamped by a pine
- stacked firewood on Reynard's way
Observations:
- 2 woodlarks singing and flying
- 3 buzzards
- Raven
- lots of reed buntings
- hen harrier (female) on way home
- distributed some tools and products from house clearance
- talked to Jim and two chainsaw pupils
Martin
20th January 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Mike, Ray, Bernard, Jonathan, Keith and Martin.
Activities:
- drilled hole in nestbox made two weeks ago
- inspected fencing for imminent arrival of ponies. Only question is potential for jumping out onto Pippingford along boundary with road.
- marked up about 30 trees for Jim's training session
- re-pollarded a few birch along Reynard's way
- cut gorse and burnt arisings at the Reynard's way end of the pillow mound
- told group about public comment period for open access
- swapped locks on roller stand gates and heave gate to south heath. Oiled them both.
- started to organise rota for lookering
Tuesday - group
Wednesday - Martin
Friday - Ray and a n other
Sunday - Jack from top cottage
Observations:
- Ravens
- again received rude comments from an individual visitor for taking down birches by entrance. He was not open to discussion and walked away.
-
Martin
John, Mike, Ray, Bernard, Jonathan, Keith and Martin.
Activities:
- drilled hole in nestbox made two weeks ago
- inspected fencing for imminent arrival of ponies. Only question is potential for jumping out onto Pippingford along boundary with road.
- marked up about 30 trees for Jim's training session
- re-pollarded a few birch along Reynard's way
- cut gorse and burnt arisings at the Reynard's way end of the pillow mound
- told group about public comment period for open access
- swapped locks on roller stand gates and heave gate to south heath. Oiled them both.
- started to organise rota for lookering
Tuesday - group
Wednesday - Martin
Friday - Ray and a n other
Sunday - Jack from top cottage
Observations:
- Ravens
- again received rude comments from an individual visitor for taking down birches by entrance. He was not open to discussion and walked away.
-
Martin
13th January 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Keith, Neil, David a, Ian, Ray, Mike, Alan, and Martin
Activities :
- brought into the shed some logs to dry ready for cutting
- covered up the gorse log pile, and the end of the long log pile with off-cut roof material from Mike
- major clean of gully going under the road,
- and exposing the pipe ends which feed rain water into the gully
- filled visitors brochures at car park
- bonfire just east of birch grove of pine brash
- took down hung birch branch nearby
- felled thin birch in birch grove sphagnum area, using logs as mini-berms to increase bogginess
- walked back along stream inspecting storm damage to ponds. Rather little.
- stored some donated tools in shed
- cleared some soft mud from parking area
Observations:
- very wet underfoot, with very large stream
- some nice sun and blue sky, followed by heavy rain and cold
- 2 woodlarks
- 2 woodcocks
- 1 raven
Martin
John, Keith, Neil, David a, Ian, Ray, Mike, Alan, and Martin
Activities :
- brought into the shed some logs to dry ready for cutting
- covered up the gorse log pile, and the end of the long log pile with off-cut roof material from Mike
- major clean of gully going under the road,
- and exposing the pipe ends which feed rain water into the gully
- filled visitors brochures at car park
- bonfire just east of birch grove of pine brash
- took down hung birch branch nearby
- felled thin birch in birch grove sphagnum area, using logs as mini-berms to increase bogginess
- walked back along stream inspecting storm damage to ponds. Rather little.
- stored some donated tools in shed
- cleared some soft mud from parking area
Observations:
- very wet underfoot, with very large stream
- some nice sun and blue sky, followed by heavy rain and cold
- 2 woodlarks
- 2 woodcocks
- 1 raven
Martin
6th January 2015 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Keith, Neil, Stuart, Mike, Jonathan, Ray, Ian, David p, and Martin
Activities:
- final hardcore at roller stand
- cutting fire wood
- made rustic nestbox almost
- gorse bonfire and coppicing on south heath near tool store
- brought lot of gorse logs back to log piles
Observations:
- not a nice day, drizzle and rain
- pair of collared doves on top lodge
Martin
John, Alan, Keith, Neil, Stuart, Mike, Jonathan, Ray, Ian, David p, and Martin
Activities:
- final hardcore at roller stand
- cutting fire wood
- made rustic nestbox almost
- gorse bonfire and coppicing on south heath near tool store
- brought lot of gorse logs back to log piles
Observations:
- not a nice day, drizzle and rain
- pair of collared doves on top lodge
Martin
30th December 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Keith, Stuart, Neil, David p, Ian and Martin
Activities:
- experiment with in situ burning of gorse. Not very effective.
- reorganise of log piles
- cutting firewood
- bonfire of remaining brash near car park. Some logs which will need Mark's vehicle
- brought some logs in store ready for rainy day
Observations:
Happy new year
- pretty cold
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Keith, Stuart, Neil, David p, Ian and Martin
Activities:
- experiment with in situ burning of gorse. Not very effective.
- reorganise of log piles
- cutting firewood
- bonfire of remaining brash near car park. Some logs which will need Mark's vehicle
- brought some logs in store ready for rainy day
Observations:
Happy new year
- pretty cold
Martin
23rd December 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Keith, Ian, Stuart, Neil, Mike, Jonathan, Bernard, and Martin
Activities:
- finished processing felled trees at car park. Moved about 5 loads back to tool store. Some large logs still to come, and brash to burn
- put in 2 end stakes for newest log pile
- John worked on the ditch before coffee
Observations\;
- festive food and drink consumed
- discussed experiment with flame thrower
- Raven
- one visitor did not approve of new entrance, thinking that this was place birds congregated
- congrats to Keith's diplomatic success in Cuba, and with Dolphins
- Martin took Xmas tree, and some firewood
- john took bow saw to reset
Martin
`
John, Alan, Keith, Ian, Stuart, Neil, Mike, Jonathan, Bernard, and Martin
Activities:
- finished processing felled trees at car park. Moved about 5 loads back to tool store. Some large logs still to come, and brash to burn
- put in 2 end stakes for newest log pile
- John worked on the ditch before coffee
Observations\;
- festive food and drink consumed
- discussed experiment with flame thrower
- Raven
- one visitor did not approve of new entrance, thinking that this was place birds congregated
- congrats to Keith's diplomatic success in Cuba, and with Dolphins
- Martin took Xmas tree, and some firewood
- john took bow saw to reset
Martin
`
16th December 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Alan, Ray, Pat, Mike, David a, Neil, Bernard, Ian, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- Gorse coppicing and bonfire on South Heath
- cutting up felled trees near car park, piling up brash and moving logs to store
- pollarded a sickly holly
- bonfire of the brash arising
Observations:
- only half a load of pine logs left at roller stand
- Neil has covered new log pile with old pond liner
- views of south downs and pippingford from the entrance are superb.
- clear blue skies
- d warbler seen in reserve last week
- bullfinch, redwings, fieldfares
Martin
Alan, Ray, Pat, Mike, David a, Neil, Bernard, Ian, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- Gorse coppicing and bonfire on South Heath
- cutting up felled trees near car park, piling up brash and moving logs to store
- pollarded a sickly holly
- bonfire of the brash arising
Observations:
- only half a load of pine logs left at roller stand
- Neil has covered new log pile with old pond liner
- views of south downs and pippingford from the entrance are superb.
- clear blue skies
- d warbler seen in reserve last week
- bullfinch, redwings, fieldfares
Martin
9th December 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Alan, Pat, Mike, Ian, David a, Neil, Ray, and Martin
Activities:
- John and Ian did more road work at log pile
- Ian and Ray helped Mark at car Park, taking down about 10 birches along bank and across to the west. Brash and logs partly dealt with. One load of logs moved to tool store
- two gorse bonfires on south Heath, coppicing, and making log piles
Observations:
- 5 ravens
- reed buntings
- mistle thrushes, Redwings, redpolls
- long tailed tits
- cold, clear with little wind to start. Not so nice at end
- cattle in the new year. Rota to be organised ray and Neil to go on first aid refresher course
- could not contact fire service at end of day. Just rang
Martin
John, Jonathan, Alan, Pat, Mike, Ian, David a, Neil, Ray, and Martin
Activities:
- John and Ian did more road work at log pile
- Ian and Ray helped Mark at car Park, taking down about 10 birches along bank and across to the west. Brash and logs partly dealt with. One load of logs moved to tool store
- two gorse bonfires on south Heath, coppicing, and making log piles
Observations:
- 5 ravens
- reed buntings
- mistle thrushes, Redwings, redpolls
- long tailed tits
- cold, clear with little wind to start. Not so nice at end
- cattle in the new year. Rota to be organised ray and Neil to go on first aid refresher course
- could not contact fire service at end of day. Just rang
Martin
2nd December 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Stuart, Neil, Bernard, David p, Ian, Pat, Ray and Martin. Sue Heitkamp was a guest, doing work for Hadlow course.
Activities:
- continued from last week with bonfire, processing felled trees and gorse cutting
- 5 more birches and an ash were felled. Mostly small things
- wood taken to pile behind the tool store
- more work on the mud/ruts at the wood pile by the roller stand
- 3 xmas trees taken
Observations:
- horrid cold damp windy weather. Misty.
- redwings
- Neil and Alan birthdays this week
- discussed Xmas/ new year arrangements
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Stuart, Neil, Bernard, David p, Ian, Pat, Ray and Martin. Sue Heitkamp was a guest, doing work for Hadlow course.
Activities:
- continued from last week with bonfire, processing felled trees and gorse cutting
- 5 more birches and an ash were felled. Mostly small things
- wood taken to pile behind the tool store
- more work on the mud/ruts at the wood pile by the roller stand
- 3 xmas trees taken
Observations:
- horrid cold damp windy weather. Misty.
- redwings
- Neil and Alan birthdays this week
- discussed Xmas/ new year arrangements
Martin
25th November 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Ray, Keith, Stuart, David a, David p, Rob (David's son), Bernard, Ian, and Martin. Plus Mark, Nick and Rachael
Activities:
- cleared gutters
- moved wood from long pile into store
- cut up fire wood, including much splitting
- moved birch logs from roller stand to behind store
- filled in ruts and other track works near roller stand, making good some of the vehicle damage
- birch felling near car park
- bonfire of brash
- cut much over grown gorse
- moved newly cut logs to behind store
- marked up trees between sphagnum heath and stream for Jim's chain saw training
Observations:
- skylarks
- redwings
- woodcock
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Ray, Keith, Stuart, David a, David p, Rob (David's son), Bernard, Ian, and Martin. Plus Mark, Nick and Rachael
Activities:
- cleared gutters
- moved wood from long pile into store
- cut up fire wood, including much splitting
- moved birch logs from roller stand to behind store
- filled in ruts and other track works near roller stand, making good some of the vehicle damage
- birch felling near car park
- bonfire of brash
- cut much over grown gorse
- moved newly cut logs to behind store
- marked up trees between sphagnum heath and stream for Jim's chain saw training
Observations:
- skylarks
- redwings
- woodcock
Martin
18th November 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Keith, Pat, David a, Ian, Bernard, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- gorse bonfire on South Heath
- including some ditch work and more gorse coppicing
- looked for nail fungus, nil
- gorse bonfire other side of stream near power lines, clearing old coppicing and clearing all gorse bushes there
- pond work on high and top ponds
Observations :
- Raven
- woodlark singing
- skylark, meadow pipit
- brambling, bull finch, tree creeper, redpolls
- ceps, russula
- raft spiders
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Keith, Pat, David a, Ian, Bernard, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- gorse bonfire on South Heath
- including some ditch work and more gorse coppicing
- looked for nail fungus, nil
- gorse bonfire other side of stream near power lines, clearing old coppicing and clearing all gorse bushes there
- pond work on high and top ponds
Observations :
- Raven
- woodlark singing
- skylark, meadow pipit
- brambling, bull finch, tree creeper, redpolls
- ceps, russula
- raft spiders
Martin
11th November 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Keith, Ian, Ray, Stuart, David a, Pat, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- 2 brash bonfire up from the hunt gate, out of strong wind
- fencing work along M1, raising top strand of barb, and moving second strand to top of stock fence and tieing together
- coppiced some chestnut for fence posts and burnt brash
- filled in some deeper ruts created by forwarder
- cleared some birch on boundary with ol2
Observations:
- windy and cold
- raven
- skylark
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Keith, Ian, Ray, Stuart, David a, Pat, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- 2 brash bonfire up from the hunt gate, out of strong wind
- fencing work along M1, raising top strand of barb, and moving second strand to top of stock fence and tieing together
- coppiced some chestnut for fence posts and burnt brash
- filled in some deeper ruts created by forwarder
- cleared some birch on boundary with ol2
Observations:
- windy and cold
- raven
- skylark
Martin
4th November 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Pat, Ray, David p, Ian, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- pond work on beeches pond
- 3 diagonal drainage channels on path down to high beeches
- 1 new pondlet in ditch down to Amex pond
- 5 bonfires at top end of Owl wood
- various environment piles there
observations
- beautiful day
- Ravens
- Crossbills, wood larks
- lt tits, goldcrest group
- tree creeper, nuthatch
- buzzard
- lots of fungi, including fruiting bodies of the green wood fungus
- red admiral
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Pat, Ray, David p, Ian, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- pond work on beeches pond
- 3 diagonal drainage channels on path down to high beeches
- 1 new pondlet in ditch down to Amex pond
- 5 bonfires at top end of Owl wood
- various environment piles there
observations
- beautiful day
- Ravens
- Crossbills, wood larks
- lt tits, goldcrest group
- tree creeper, nuthatch
- buzzard
- lots of fungi, including fruiting bodies of the green wood fungus
- red admiral
Martin
28th October 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Mike, Alan, Keith, Stuart, Ian, Pat, Ray, David, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- dug extra clay for top of causeway
- pond work on Island and lake ponds
- bonfire opposite 13th pond
- made some environment piles there
- coppiced 4 alder in the stream
- repaired fence along the top where dead tree fell on it
Observations:
- darter, raft spiders
- brambling, meadow pipits
- lovely weather
- left fire beater from Ride junction at fire site
- 20 redpolls
- distributed damsons
- some alder logs at fire site for pond work
- a number of pond inundations
Martin
John, Mike, Alan, Keith, Stuart, Ian, Pat, Ray, David, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- dug extra clay for top of causeway
- pond work on Island and lake ponds
- bonfire opposite 13th pond
- made some environment piles there
- coppiced 4 alder in the stream
- repaired fence along the top where dead tree fell on it
Observations:
- darter, raft spiders
- brambling, meadow pipits
- lovely weather
- left fire beater from Ride junction at fire site
- 20 redpolls
- distributed damsons
- some alder logs at fire site for pond work
- a number of pond inundations
Martin
21st October 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Mike, Ian, Stuart, Neil, Jonathan, and Martin
Activities:
- 2 bonfires opposite 13th pond by birch grove
- prepared for another bonfire there
- mended fence along M1 where a young deer was cut down having got its foot stuck in top wires last Thursday. Amazingly the deer ran off apparently fine
- put more earth on causeway, and improved drainage of the surfaces
Observations:
- rutting deer
- possible barn owl last Sunday
- brambling and lots of chaffinches
- chiffchaff
- forwarder has done a grand job
- all large birch logs have now gone
Martin
John, Alan, Mike, Ian, Stuart, Neil, Jonathan, and Martin
Activities:
- 2 bonfires opposite 13th pond by birch grove
- prepared for another bonfire there
- mended fence along M1 where a young deer was cut down having got its foot stuck in top wires last Thursday. Amazingly the deer ran off apparently fine
- put more earth on causeway, and improved drainage of the surfaces
Observations:
- rutting deer
- possible barn owl last Sunday
- brambling and lots of chaffinches
- chiffchaff
- forwarder has done a grand job
- all large birch logs have now gone
Martin
14th October 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Ian, David a, Mike, Keith, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- 3 bonfires in wood before the bench
- refilled leaflets
- reviewed some birches near car park
Observations:
- Raven
- woodlark
- coal tit
- lizard
- forwarder working on west side
- transport taking away the birch pile
- kestrel
Martin
John, Ian, David a, Mike, Keith, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- 3 bonfires in wood before the bench
- refilled leaflets
- reviewed some birches near car park
Observations:
- Raven
- woodlark
- coal tit
- lizard
- forwarder working on west side
- transport taking away the birch pile
- kestrel
Martin
7th October2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Stuart, Keith, Ray, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- moved some logs into tool store
- bonfire on bank beyond slope along beeches avenue
- sapling pulling there plus en route
- pollarding in copse by tool store
- some dung collection
Observations;
- cottage beeches pruned further by tree surgeons
- a lot of rain last night
- kestrel, sp hawk
- more fungi
- dead lizard (squashed) on road
- elder tree sapling on bank
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Stuart, Keith, Ray, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- moved some logs into tool store
- bonfire on bank beyond slope along beeches avenue
- sapling pulling there plus en route
- pollarding in copse by tool store
- some dung collection
Observations;
- cottage beeches pruned further by tree surgeons
- a lot of rain last night
- kestrel, sp hawk
- more fungi
- dead lizard (squashed) on road
- elder tree sapling on bank
Martin
30th September 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Pat, Neil, Ray, Bernard, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- bracken clearing along M1 and along the top to the end of the power lines
- pond work in one stump pond (I think), at end of power lines
- started cascade of bog pools in ditch feeding Amex pond (experimental)
- ring barked 27 trees in the swamp (source of stream )
- collected one nest box to be mended
Observations
- slow worm
- s hawker
- many common darters
- Woodlarks 3+
- chiffchaffs
- meadow pipits, kestrels, pied wagtails
- CORMORANT
- two big patches of dodder
- horrid rain at coffee time, lovely later.
Martin
John, Jonathan, Pat, Neil, Ray, Bernard, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- bracken clearing along M1 and along the top to the end of the power lines
- pond work in one stump pond (I think), at end of power lines
- started cascade of bog pools in ditch feeding Amex pond (experimental)
- ring barked 27 trees in the swamp (source of stream )
- collected one nest box to be mended
Observations
- slow worm
- s hawker
- many common darters
- Woodlarks 3+
- chiffchaffs
- meadow pipits, kestrels, pied wagtails
- CORMORANT
- two big patches of dodder
- horrid rain at coffee time, lovely later.
Martin
23rd September 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Keith, David a, David p, Bernard, Neil and Martin
Activities:
- bracken and nail fungus searching on South Heath. No punctata.
- ring barking 15 trees either side of beeches avenue
- pine saplings up from beeches avenue near cross roads
- clearing rush from west pond
- more work near mallard pond including coppicing more trees and removing brash
- some work on birch trees shading stream. More to do
- John did more bracken work near batters clump and towards west pond
Observations:
- ergot
- beech mast
- 2 hobbies, kestrel, buzzard
- 2 stonechat
- meadow pipits, house martins, swallows
- dragon flies, darters
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Keith, David a, David p, Bernard, Neil and Martin
Activities:
- bracken and nail fungus searching on South Heath. No punctata.
- ring barking 15 trees either side of beeches avenue
- pine saplings up from beeches avenue near cross roads
- clearing rush from west pond
- more work near mallard pond including coppicing more trees and removing brash
- some work on birch trees shading stream. More to do
- John did more bracken work near batters clump and towards west pond
Observations:
- ergot
- beech mast
- 2 hobbies, kestrel, buzzard
- 2 stonechat
- meadow pipits, house martins, swallows
- dragon flies, darters
Martin
16th September 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Pat, Neil, Stuart, Mike and Martin
Activities:
- with help of Mark plus vehicle, brought in and stacked firewood logs.
- the recovered barb wire from the central fence
- bracken clearing near west pond
- brought back a fence post from near stony pond
Observations
- discussed lookering cattle
- meadow pipit
- bullfinch, gs woodpecker, tree creeper, stonechat
Martin
John, Jonathan, Pat, Neil, Stuart, Mike and Martin
Activities:
- with help of Mark plus vehicle, brought in and stacked firewood logs.
- the recovered barb wire from the central fence
- bracken clearing near west pond
- brought back a fence post from near stony pond
Observations
- discussed lookering cattle
- meadow pipit
- bullfinch, gs woodpecker, tree creeper, stonechat
Martin
9th September 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Neil, David a, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- John did bracken pulling on east side of reserve
- did repair work on Mallard pond. Cleared pond weed, sediment, vegetation on south side, and willow in stream. Plugged the hole causing pond to have drained and built additional dam barrier at that point and extra height to the likely run out point.
- included felling 4 tall thin pines for the straight logs.
Observations:
- hobby, kestrel, buzzard, Raven, and possible sparrow hawk
- swallows, house martins heard migrating
- emperor, golden ringed, black darter.
- John gave out BOOK technical notes, with PENCIL addition.
Martin
John, Jonathan, Mike, Neil, David a, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- John did bracken pulling on east side of reserve
- did repair work on Mallard pond. Cleared pond weed, sediment, vegetation on south side, and willow in stream. Plugged the hole causing pond to have drained and built additional dam barrier at that point and extra height to the likely run out point.
- included felling 4 tall thin pines for the straight logs.
Observations:
- hobby, kestrel, buzzard, Raven, and possible sparrow hawk
- swallows, house martins heard migrating
- emperor, golden ringed, black darter.
- John gave out BOOK technical notes, with PENCIL addition.
Martin
2nd September 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Pat, David a, David p, Neil and martin
Activities:
- rounded up ponies for moving to Blackcap near lewes
- strengthened small wooden gate
- ring barked 8 birches behind cottages
Observations:
- herring gull
Martin
Jonathan, Mike, Alan, Pat, David a, David p, Neil and martin
Activities:
- rounded up ponies for moving to Blackcap near lewes
- strengthened small wooden gate
- ring barked 8 birches behind cottages
Observations:
- herring gull
Martin
26th August 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Keith, Stuart, David a, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies
- cut fire wood from dry logs in the tractor shed
- set and sharpened 2 bow saws and a 2 man saw
- split some of the logs
- tightened up mike-s saw horse
- inspected fence around cess pit. Need 4 extra posts
Observations:
- heavy rain
- 30 redpolls
- Keith took sawdust for hens
- discussed possibilities of pigs
- discovered the BOOK
Martin
John, Alan, Keith, Stuart, David a, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies
- cut fire wood from dry logs in the tractor shed
- set and sharpened 2 bow saws and a 2 man saw
- split some of the logs
- tightened up mike-s saw horse
- inspected fence around cess pit. Need 4 extra posts
Observations:
- heavy rain
- 30 redpolls
- Keith took sawdust for hens
- discussed possibilities of pigs
- discovered the BOOK
Martin
19th August 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Pat, David a, Neil, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- bracken pulling along beeches avenue and up slope
- thinning alder in bed of stream up from causeway
- taking out willow above mallard pond
- lookered ponies
Observations:
- bullfinches
- 3 migrant hawkers
- 3 ravens
- buzzard
- orange slime-mould
- fungi
- redpoll
Martin
John, Jonathan, Pat, David a, Neil, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- bracken pulling along beeches avenue and up slope
- thinning alder in bed of stream up from causeway
- taking out willow above mallard pond
- lookered ponies
Observations:
- bullfinches
- 3 migrant hawkers
- 3 ravens
- buzzard
- orange slime-mould
- fungi
- redpoll
Martin
12th August 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, David a, Mike, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- final clear out of nestboxes and taking down for repair. 2 brought back to tool store
- lookered ponies. 11+1
- bracken on ne side of reserve/stream
- and some on beeches avenue
- and along path to car park
Observations
- Raven, Buzzard
- redstarts, woodlark, stonechat, willow warbler
- interesting beetle in a nest box
- golden ring
Martin
John, Alan, David a, Mike, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- final clear out of nestboxes and taking down for repair. 2 brought back to tool store
- lookered ponies. 11+1
- bracken on ne side of reserve/stream
- and some on beeches avenue
- and along path to car park
Observations
- Raven, Buzzard
- redstarts, woodlark, stonechat, willow warbler
- interesting beetle in a nest box
- golden ring
Martin
5th August 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Alan, Mike, Pat, Keith, David a, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- pollard trees around top cottage, to open out some glades
- lookered ponies
- pulled ragwort near top cottage
Observations:
- brown, southern hawker
- bullfinch
Martin
Alan, Mike, Pat, Keith, David a, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- pollard trees around top cottage, to open out some glades
- lookered ponies
- pulled ragwort near top cottage
Observations:
- brown, southern hawker
- bullfinch
Martin
29nd July 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Alan, John, Jonathan, Neil, David a, David p, Mike, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- 5 new posts added to central fence. One more to go
- pollarding in wood by tool store
- bracken pulling on north east slope of stream and m1
- ragwort in various places
Observations
- redpoll
- golden ring, southern hawker
Martin
Alan, John, Jonathan, Neil, David a, David p, Mike, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- 5 new posts added to central fence. One more to go
- pollarding in wood by tool store
- bracken pulling on north east slope of stream and m1
- ragwort in various places
Observations
- redpoll
- golden ring, southern hawker
Martin
22nd July 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Mike, John, Alan, Keith, Stuart, Pat, David p, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- put up some protection for dodder along the road. 6 stakes to prevent close mowing
- bracken pulling on SH
- lookered ponies
- bracken slashing on paths under powerlines south of stream
- pine sappling work uphill from crossroads
- pond survey and dragonfly count
- moved 5 fence posts over from one stump pond to corner on central fence, awaiting final post strengthening
- ragwort from various places including cricket pitch
- bracken along ridge near bench
- pollarding coppice near tool store
Observations:
- bracken sprayers present from 10
- gatekeepers , s coppers, peacocks, s white, meadow browns
- emporers, g ringed, c darter, l red, azure, emerald damselfly, migrant h, brown hawker, keeled skimmer, bb chaser 4 spot chaser
- 3 woodlark
Martin
Mike, John, Alan, Keith, Stuart, Pat, David p, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- put up some protection for dodder along the road. 6 stakes to prevent close mowing
- bracken pulling on SH
- lookered ponies
- bracken slashing on paths under powerlines south of stream
- pine sappling work uphill from crossroads
- pond survey and dragonfly count
- moved 5 fence posts over from one stump pond to corner on central fence, awaiting final post strengthening
- ragwort from various places including cricket pitch
- bracken along ridge near bench
- pollarding coppice near tool store
Observations:
- bracken sprayers present from 10
- gatekeepers , s coppers, peacocks, s white, meadow browns
- emporers, g ringed, c darter, l red, azure, emerald damselfly, migrant h, brown hawker, keeled skimmer, bb chaser 4 spot chaser
- 3 woodlark
Martin
15th July 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Bernard and Martin
Activities :
- lookered ponies
- removed ragwort around tool store
- more clearing of path to car park
- bracken on south heath
- collected in firewood logs with Mark,Rachel and Nick. Stacked at back of store
- bracken on slope with trough, and wide sweep of reserve by John
Observations
- Frank has left the heathland scheme.
- power problems on site. Generators going
- redpolls
Martin
-
John, Jonathan, Mike, Bernard and Martin
Activities :
- lookered ponies
- removed ragwort around tool store
- more clearing of path to car park
- bracken on south heath
- collected in firewood logs with Mark,Rachel and Nick. Stacked at back of store
- bracken on slope with trough, and wide sweep of reserve by John
Observations
- Frank has left the heathland scheme.
- power problems on site. Generators going
- redpolls
Martin
-
8th July 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Alan, Stuart, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- moved ponies onto south heath. Took a bit of time.
- birch pulling on slope near trough
- hung gate at cross roads. Left off hinges.
- bracken pulling on beeches avenue below slope
- put back up 2 mended bird boxes
Observations:
- redpolls
- kestrel
- buzzard
- woodlark
- showers stopped play
Martin
John, Jonathan, Alan, Stuart, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- moved ponies onto south heath. Took a bit of time.
- birch pulling on slope near trough
- hung gate at cross roads. Left off hinges.
- bracken pulling on beeches avenue below slope
- put back up 2 mended bird boxes
Observations:
- redpolls
- kestrel
- buzzard
- woodlark
- showers stopped play
Martin
1st July 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Neil, Stuart, David P, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies
- bracken digging on South Heath, road and M1
- put back up 2 nestboxes
- ragwort work on cricket pitch, some for tw composting, rest hidden in brash pile. Those with cinnabar moth caterpillars left.
Observations:
- cess pit emptied. Note lock on gate now positioned so that it needs combination
- woodlarks at cricket pitch
- owl nestbox used, but now has 6 cold addled eggs, probably 2 per year. Fresh fluff in nest.
- moles at work at cricket pitch
- gold finch, redpoll, bullfinch
- Monty next week
- explained attitude to ragwort
- nightjar count on Wednesday at 9.30
Martin
John, Alan, Neil, Stuart, David P, Keith, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies
- bracken digging on South Heath, road and M1
- put back up 2 nestboxes
- ragwort work on cricket pitch, some for tw composting, rest hidden in brash pile. Those with cinnabar moth caterpillars left.
Observations:
- cess pit emptied. Note lock on gate now positioned so that it needs combination
- woodlarks at cricket pitch
- owl nestbox used, but now has 6 cold addled eggs, probably 2 per year. Fresh fluff in nest.
- moles at work at cricket pitch
- gold finch, redpoll, bullfinch
- Monty next week
- explained attitude to ragwort
- nightjar count on Wednesday at 9.30
Martin
24th June 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Mike, Neil, Stuart, David p, Bernard, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- bracken along top, and some wood edges down to causeway and bridge. Also on Pippingford boundary and a bit towards the m1
- new gatepost installed, but gate not hung, awaiting correct size bit
- lookered ponies
Observations:
- discussed about committee visit to site on Monday.
- planned nightjar visit for week tomorrow
- 3 spotted flycatchers
- woodlark, tree pipits
- buzzard
- mentioned brilliant emerald and emerald damselfly on yesterday's walk
- golden ring, bb chaser, azure, large red
Martin
-
John, Jonathan, Mike, Neil, Stuart, David p, Bernard, Keith and Martin
Activities:
- bracken along top, and some wood edges down to causeway and bridge. Also on Pippingford boundary and a bit towards the m1
- new gatepost installed, but gate not hung, awaiting correct size bit
- lookered ponies
Observations:
- discussed about committee visit to site on Monday.
- planned nightjar visit for week tomorrow
- 3 spotted flycatchers
- woodlark, tree pipits
- buzzard
- mentioned brilliant emerald and emerald damselfly on yesterday's walk
- golden ring, bb chaser, azure, large red
Martin
-
17th June 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Pat, Jonathan, Keith, Bernard, Neil, David a, Mike and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies
- slashed bracken on paths under powerlines
- finished taking bottom barb off central fence. Rolls are by final heave gate and crossroads
- tried to hang gate, and gate post snapped due to rot. Will need replacing.
- did 2nd quarter of nestboxes. 2 taken down for repair and are now with Keith
- pulled and scythed bracken along beeches avenue, and up onto plateau above chestnuts. Saplings as well.
- more along edge of m1
- Keith put out large tin, cut into two
Observations:
- yellow hammer
- garden warbler
- blackcap, nuthatch, family of bullfinches
- Alan took engineering catalogue
Martin
John, Alan, Pat, Jonathan, Keith, Bernard, Neil, David a, Mike and Martin
Activities:
- lookered ponies
- slashed bracken on paths under powerlines
- finished taking bottom barb off central fence. Rolls are by final heave gate and crossroads
- tried to hang gate, and gate post snapped due to rot. Will need replacing.
- did 2nd quarter of nestboxes. 2 taken down for repair and are now with Keith
- pulled and scythed bracken along beeches avenue, and up onto plateau above chestnuts. Saplings as well.
- more along edge of m1
- Keith put out large tin, cut into two
Observations:
- yellow hammer
- garden warbler
- blackcap, nuthatch, family of bullfinches
- Alan took engineering catalogue
Martin
10th June 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, David a, Mike, Alan, Pat, Keith, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- bracken, birch and pine clearing both sides of stream at the bridge.
- scything along the path up stream
- last round of nest boxes up to cricket pitch
- taking off bard from cross roads to hunt gate
Observations:
- Raven
- Cuckoo
- woodlark, tree pipit
- crossbills
- emperor, 4 spot, banded demoiselles, keeled skimmer, bb chaser, large red, meadow brown
Martin
John, Jonathan, David a, Mike, Alan, Pat, Keith, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- bracken, birch and pine clearing both sides of stream at the bridge.
- scything along the path up stream
- last round of nest boxes up to cricket pitch
- taking off bard from cross roads to hunt gate
Observations:
- Raven
- Cuckoo
- woodlark, tree pipit
- crossbills
- emperor, 4 spot, banded demoiselles, keeled skimmer, bb chaser, large red, meadow brown
Martin
3rd June2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Keith, Alan, Pat, David p, Mike, Stuart, Neil, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- Ditch work along road
- bracken on south heath
- tool sharpening and oiling in shed
- lookered ponies, none limping
- moved 6 posts across to cross roads
- finished the post work on cross reserve fence. Some barb work to do
- scythe work around willows and track to car park
- repaired gate across Reynard's way
- discussed future plans for reserve, including more ring barking and exclosures
Observations:
- woodlark, tree pipits
- redstarts
- nasty rain before and a bit after coffee. All got wet
Martin
John, Keith, Alan, Pat, David p, Mike, Stuart, Neil, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- Ditch work along road
- bracken on south heath
- tool sharpening and oiling in shed
- lookered ponies, none limping
- moved 6 posts across to cross roads
- finished the post work on cross reserve fence. Some barb work to do
- scythe work around willows and track to car park
- repaired gate across Reynard's way
- discussed future plans for reserve, including more ring barking and exclosures
Observations:
- woodlark, tree pipits
- redstarts
- nasty rain before and a bit after coffee. All got wet
Martin
27th May 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Alan, Jonathan, Stuart, Ray, Neil, and Martin
Activities:
- bracken on South Heath
- moved 4 posts from end of power lines to cross roads
- Lookered ponies. None obviously limping.
- dug up ragwort patch near cross roads, other side of fence
- sawed some wood and brought more into shed
Observations:
- grotty drizzle
- showed sundew to Ray and Stuart
- flock of 15 crossbills
- singing woodlark at shed and bridge.
- tree pipits
- young gsw calling at roller stand
- sharpening stone borrowed
- iron crowbar returned
Martin
John, Alan, Jonathan, Stuart, Ray, Neil, and Martin
Activities:
- bracken on South Heath
- moved 4 posts from end of power lines to cross roads
- Lookered ponies. None obviously limping.
- dug up ragwort patch near cross roads, other side of fence
- sawed some wood and brought more into shed
Observations:
- grotty drizzle
- showed sundew to Ray and Stuart
- flock of 15 crossbills
- singing woodlark at shed and bridge.
- tree pipits
- young gsw calling at roller stand
- sharpening stone borrowed
- iron crowbar returned
Martin
20th May 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Bernard, Alan, David a, Neil, Ray, Pat, Keith, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- dug up and disposed of three cornered leak flowers in car park.
- pulled bracken along the east boundary
- lookered ponies. Eyeball still lame. Will telephone Monty.
- pulled bracken on south heath
- pulled birch saplings opposite foresters cottage, including using the A frame system.
- almost completed the fencing work across the reserve
Observation:
- young woodlark along east boundary. Singing males west of bridge and tool store
- cuckoo
- tree pipits
- sparrow hawk
- green hairstreak, bb chaser
- redstarts, willow warblers, raven
Martin
John, Bernard, Alan, David a, Neil, Ray, Pat, Keith, Jonathan and Martin
Activities:
- dug up and disposed of three cornered leak flowers in car park.
- pulled bracken along the east boundary
- lookered ponies. Eyeball still lame. Will telephone Monty.
- pulled bracken on south heath
- pulled birch saplings opposite foresters cottage, including using the A frame system.
- almost completed the fencing work across the reserve
Observation:
- young woodlark along east boundary. Singing males west of bridge and tool store
- cuckoo
- tree pipits
- sparrow hawk
- green hairstreak, bb chaser
- redstarts, willow warblers, raven
Martin
13th May 2014 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Alan, Keith, Pat, David a, Stuart, Bernard, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- pulling saplings on slope below the roller stand
- first third of nest boxes
- work on the fence across the reserve
- dug up a number of rhododendrons
- bracken pulling on M1
- brought recovered barb back to tool store
Observations:
- whitethroat
- male and male cuckoo
- 20+ crossbills
- redpolls
- woodlark
- willow warblers, chiffchaff, blackcap
- heard firecrest singing
- woodlark, tree pipit
Martin
John, Jonathan, Alan, Keith, Pat, David a, Stuart, Bernard, Ray and Martin
Activities:
- pulling saplings on slope below the roller stand
- first third of nest boxes
- work on the fence across the reserve
- dug up a number of rhododendrons
- bracken pulling on M1
- brought recovered barb back to tool store
Observations:
- whitethroat
- male and male cuckoo
- 20+ crossbills
- redpolls
- woodlark
- willow warblers, chiffchaff, blackcap
- heard firecrest singing
- woodlark, tree pipit
Martin
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