Present:
John, Mike p, Mike m, Alan, Pat, Ian, Jonathan, Bernard, Bob, Ray, David a and Martin
Activities:
- from box 24 onwards, nest boxes recorded, including their GPS coordinates
- lots of pine and birch pulling from car park to Reynard's way and a bit beyond
Observations:
- Woodlarks, tree pipits, long tailed tits, woodcock
- holy blue, Brimstone's, possible green hairstreak, peacock
- little bracken out in the open, air frost? Plenty in the woods
- nice day, risk of sun burn
- martin back in action, but whacked
Martin
Thursday, May 18, 2017
9th May 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Steve, Bernard, Keith, Pat, Stuart, Ray, Mike m, Mike p, Ian, Neil, David a, Alan, Anda and Martin
Activities:
- first part of the nest box survey
- put back up a box Keith has repaired. The one near fallen tree just south of the swamp.
- pond work on all three ponds nearest the road, namely Barclay's, Cuckoo and EA. (environment agency) . Aimed at raising the water level and reducing soft rush around the boundary.
- pine and birch pulling both below the roller stand and to the east of the pillow mound
Observations:
- woodlarks, tree pipits, bull finches, blackcap, whitethroat, buzzard, Raven, stonechat
- broad bodied chaser
- weather OK, but not as sunny as forecast
Martin
John, Steve, Bernard, Keith, Pat, Stuart, Ray, Mike m, Mike p, Ian, Neil, David a, Alan, Anda and Martin
Activities:
- first part of the nest box survey
- put back up a box Keith has repaired. The one near fallen tree just south of the swamp.
- pond work on all three ponds nearest the road, namely Barclay's, Cuckoo and EA. (environment agency) . Aimed at raising the water level and reducing soft rush around the boundary.
- pine and birch pulling both below the roller stand and to the east of the pillow mound
Observations:
- woodlarks, tree pipits, bull finches, blackcap, whitethroat, buzzard, Raven, stonechat
- broad bodied chaser
- weather OK, but not as sunny as forecast
Martin
2nd May 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present :
John, Keith, Alan, Pat, Stuart, Jonathan, David a, David p, Bob, Bernard, Terry, Ian, Mike m, Mike p and Martin
Activities:
- final little patch of ditch
- some motion sensing photography of nearest nest box. no luck, just passing workers
- second half of nest boxes
- ragwork around shed and cottages
- bracken pulling , first in sweep along road to m1. Very little.
- pulling pines near pillow mound
- tree cutting and clearing down stream from paddy fields
Observations:
- nice weather, light wind and sun
- gorse mite over. Did not get big
- nice redstart at back
- martin out of action
- blackcap, goldcrest, wren, 2 territorial Jays, chiffchaff, blackbird
- male and female cuckoo
Martin
John, Keith, Alan, Pat, Stuart, Jonathan, David a, David p, Bob, Bernard, Terry, Ian, Mike m, Mike p and Martin
Activities:
- final little patch of ditch
- some motion sensing photography of nearest nest box. no luck, just passing workers
- second half of nest boxes
- ragwork around shed and cottages
- bracken pulling , first in sweep along road to m1. Very little.
- pulling pines near pillow mound
- tree cutting and clearing down stream from paddy fields
Observations:
- nice weather, light wind and sun
- gorse mite over. Did not get big
- nice redstart at back
- martin out of action
- blackcap, goldcrest, wren, 2 territorial Jays, chiffchaff, blackbird
- male and female cuckoo
Martin
25th April 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Bernard (left early ,ill), Jonathan, Terry, Keith, Stuart, Neil, Mike p, Mike m, Alan, Steve, David p and Martin
Activities:
- bit more ditch work
- pulling birch below roller stand
- first part of nestbox survey
- bracken pulling up the m1
- put up camera in ol2
- more fencing work done, restapling.
Observations:
- martin has sciatica
- weather ok, but not warm yet
Martin
John, Bernard (left early ,ill), Jonathan, Terry, Keith, Stuart, Neil, Mike p, Mike m, Alan, Steve, David p and Martin
Activities:
- bit more ditch work
- pulling birch below roller stand
- first part of nestbox survey
- bracken pulling up the m1
- put up camera in ol2
- more fencing work done, restapling.
Observations:
- martin has sciatica
- weather ok, but not warm yet
Martin
18th April 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Neil, Philip, Stuart, Terry, Jonathan, Keith, Ian, Ray, and Martin
Activities:
- major push to get the ditch work finished, after last weeks visit to ol1
- second half of nest box. One down and brought back for Keith
- checked the car park for three cornered leek, none
- some pine pulling near pillow mound
- put up the camera in ol2, aimed at a nest box
Observations:
- lots of coal tit eggs
- Weather OK
Martin
John, Neil, Philip, Stuart, Terry, Jonathan, Keith, Ian, Ray, and Martin
Activities:
- major push to get the ditch work finished, after last weeks visit to ol1
- second half of nest box. One down and brought back for Keith
- checked the car park for three cornered leek, none
- some pine pulling near pillow mound
- put up the camera in ol2, aimed at a nest box
Observations:
- lots of coal tit eggs
- Weather OK
Martin
11th April 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Keith, Alan, Stuart, Neil, David a, David p, Ray, Pat, Mike m, Terry, Ian, Graham, Bob, and Martin.
Activities:
- replaced a fence post near the car park, and other fence work along the top and down to foresters cottage
- put up a motion camera on sh to check on badger diggings
- first quarter of the nest box survey. First ever Robin in a redstart box. Surprising activity so early in season.
- some puddle digging in the area of the sundews.
- some gorse work on ol1
- tree cutting in the ditch on the southern border of ol1, to open up the boggy areas and reduce their drying effect. Brash piles created, and logs used for Irish bridge and to stop the flow cutting through the bank.
- tubes on replanted trees taken down and put in piles. Lots.
- water from a ditch channeled more directly into the lower part of the ditch
Observations:
- woodlark, stonechat, tree pipits, redstarts, Willow warblers, tree creeper, crossbills, linnets, reed bunting,
- sundews
- gorse mite
- nice weather
- possible mouse nest in a bird box
Martin
John, Jonathan, Keith, Alan, Stuart, Neil, David a, David p, Ray, Pat, Mike m, Terry, Ian, Graham, Bob, and Martin.
Activities:
- replaced a fence post near the car park, and other fence work along the top and down to foresters cottage
- put up a motion camera on sh to check on badger diggings
- first quarter of the nest box survey. First ever Robin in a redstart box. Surprising activity so early in season.
- some puddle digging in the area of the sundews.
- some gorse work on ol1
- tree cutting in the ditch on the southern border of ol1, to open up the boggy areas and reduce their drying effect. Brash piles created, and logs used for Irish bridge and to stop the flow cutting through the bank.
- tubes on replanted trees taken down and put in piles. Lots.
- water from a ditch channeled more directly into the lower part of the ditch
Observations:
- woodlark, stonechat, tree pipits, redstarts, Willow warblers, tree creeper, crossbills, linnets, reed bunting,
- sundews
- gorse mite
- nice weather
- possible mouse nest in a bird box
Martin
4th April 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Steve, Ian, Stuart, Neil, Keith, Pat, Terry, Alan, Mike m, Mike p, David a and Martin. Jonathan visited taking dog to vet. David p recovering from root canal work.
Activities:
- did rest of the ditch work along the road. Cleared a path to the ditch from the hollow at the squeeze gate opposite the roller stand gates, so deer have a route in, and keep the vegetation under control.
- mended the bird box near the bench
- a bit of log sawing
- cleared daffodils from behind cottages and ol1. Mike m took these, together with remaining mouldy pony nuts.
- John cleared trash buckets
- Martin adjusted new lidl bow saw
Observations:
- whether better than expected, but damp and drizzly at times. Some sun at the end.
- Raven having dog fight with buzzard
- crossbills, wood larks, skylarks, redpolls, Chiffchaffs,
- first redstart of the year. They have apparently been arriving in s England this last week. Seems quite early.
Martin
John, Steve, Ian, Stuart, Neil, Keith, Pat, Terry, Alan, Mike m, Mike p, David a and Martin. Jonathan visited taking dog to vet. David p recovering from root canal work.
Activities:
- did rest of the ditch work along the road. Cleared a path to the ditch from the hollow at the squeeze gate opposite the roller stand gates, so deer have a route in, and keep the vegetation under control.
- mended the bird box near the bench
- a bit of log sawing
- cleared daffodils from behind cottages and ol1. Mike m took these, together with remaining mouldy pony nuts.
- John cleared trash buckets
- Martin adjusted new lidl bow saw
Observations:
- whether better than expected, but damp and drizzly at times. Some sun at the end.
- Raven having dog fight with buzzard
- crossbills, wood larks, skylarks, redpolls, Chiffchaffs,
- first redstart of the year. They have apparently been arriving in s England this last week. Seems quite early.
Martin
28th march 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Keith, Stuart, Ray, Bernard, Mike m, Terry, Graham, Ian, Philip, Pat and Martin
Activities:
- continued the work on the bank along the road
- started mending more of the spades that are broken
- put up 4 new nest boxes on ol2
- fitted pick axe handles
Observations:
- nice weather for the most part. Some dark clouds over lunch
- Brimstone's and possible peacocks
- Crossbills, redpolls, pied wagtail
Martin
John, Keith, Stuart, Ray, Bernard, Mike m, Terry, Graham, Ian, Philip, Pat and Martin
Activities:
- continued the work on the bank along the road
- started mending more of the spades that are broken
- put up 4 new nest boxes on ol2
- fitted pick axe handles
Observations:
- nice weather for the most part. Some dark clouds over lunch
- Brimstone's and possible peacocks
- Crossbills, redpolls, pied wagtail
Martin
21st march 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Keith, Mike m, Mike p, Terry, Steve, Ian, Bob, David a, Ray, Bernard, Philip, Anda, Stuart and Martin. 16 is a recent record for a Tuesday.
activities:
- made the pieces for 4 new nest boxes. Mike m has taken them away for final construction. A chestnut log from a couple of weeks ago was used. Used Jonathan's froe to do the splitting
- took 12 fence posts from store over to Gilly's paddock boundary, and erected a second fence line of one stand of barb wire.
- work continued on the ditch and bank along the south side of the road
- revisited the work in chestnut wood and pointed the split posts and made a couple of new posts/struts
- put out all the spare sheeting for reptiles, and did a complete survey of them, redoing the numbering where necessary
- finished of some clearance work in the chose next to the shed
Observations:
- Mike m returned a mended small spade
- nice sunny weather, if a little cold out of the sun. Chilly wind.
- crossbills, siskins, redpolls, tree creepers singing, nuthatch, great spot, green woodpecker, buzzard, chiffchaff, Stonechats,
- slow worms and lizards
- Skaters, boatmen, whirly gig beetles
- repaired broken saw
- Ray building up his strength after ops
Martin
John, Jonathan, Keith, Mike m, Mike p, Terry, Steve, Ian, Bob, David a, Ray, Bernard, Philip, Anda, Stuart and Martin. 16 is a recent record for a Tuesday.
activities:
- made the pieces for 4 new nest boxes. Mike m has taken them away for final construction. A chestnut log from a couple of weeks ago was used. Used Jonathan's froe to do the splitting
- took 12 fence posts from store over to Gilly's paddock boundary, and erected a second fence line of one stand of barb wire.
- work continued on the ditch and bank along the south side of the road
- revisited the work in chestnut wood and pointed the split posts and made a couple of new posts/struts
- put out all the spare sheeting for reptiles, and did a complete survey of them, redoing the numbering where necessary
- finished of some clearance work in the chose next to the shed
Observations:
- Mike m returned a mended small spade
- nice sunny weather, if a little cold out of the sun. Chilly wind.
- crossbills, siskins, redpolls, tree creepers singing, nuthatch, great spot, green woodpecker, buzzard, chiffchaff, Stonechats,
- slow worms and lizards
- Skaters, boatmen, whirly gig beetles
- repaired broken saw
- Ray building up his strength after ops
Martin
14th march 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Pat, Steve, Ian, Keith, Mike m, Mike p, Alan, David a, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- finished and put up 3 new bid boxes in ol2.
- mended one nestbox near batter's hill
- continued work clearing ditch and bank along the road
- John did some rhody work on Pippingford boundary, and inspected the two ponds, Alan and Deep there
- inspected most of the fence around the reserve marking those bits that need repair work. At least 13 extra posts needed.
- made some struts, fence posts and mallets in chestnut wood. Some pointing still needs to be done.
- mended and put back a broken fire beater at the cricket pitch
Observations:
- buzzard, Raven, brambling, crossbill, siskin, redpoll, great spot, woodcock, Bulfinch, goldfinch, chiffchaff, fieldfare
- warm but overcast
- Some chestnut nuts sprouting
- talked about mending the broken spades
- u3a visit this Friday
Martin
John, Jonathan, Pat, Steve, Ian, Keith, Mike m, Mike p, Alan, David a, Bernard and Martin
Activities:
- finished and put up 3 new bid boxes in ol2.
- mended one nestbox near batter's hill
- continued work clearing ditch and bank along the road
- John did some rhody work on Pippingford boundary, and inspected the two ponds, Alan and Deep there
- inspected most of the fence around the reserve marking those bits that need repair work. At least 13 extra posts needed.
- made some struts, fence posts and mallets in chestnut wood. Some pointing still needs to be done.
- mended and put back a broken fire beater at the cricket pitch
Observations:
- buzzard, Raven, brambling, crossbill, siskin, redpoll, great spot, woodcock, Bulfinch, goldfinch, chiffchaff, fieldfare
- warm but overcast
- Some chestnut nuts sprouting
- talked about mending the broken spades
- u3a visit this Friday
Martin
7th march 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Terry, Steve, Ian, Keith, Mike m, Mike p, Bernard, David a, David p, Bob, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- made log piles and brash piles of the fallen beech branch
- took the fallen pine off the bank along the top, and restrained the fencing. Checked the rest of the fencing along the top.
- made 4 nest boxes by splitting logs, splitting out the centre quarters, and tying back together. Chestnut seemed to be the best wood to work with. Beech was too hard to split. Keith has a splitting knife handle to repair as a result.
- put up a nest box in ol2
- recovered the half split chestnut log that had been left on beeches avenue
- attacked bramble and gorse in the ditch on the south side of the road. Arisings put over the fence on south Heath for burning later in year and on the other side of the road.
Observations:
- 2 buzzards doing some courtship flights
- crossbills, woodlarks, siskins, redpolls, skylarks
- 2 spades need repairing after the ditch work
- discussed some health and safety items
- broccoli seedlings distributed
- some more reptile sheets now available to be put out
- some more staples have been ordered
Martin
John, Jonathan, Terry, Steve, Ian, Keith, Mike m, Mike p, Bernard, David a, David p, Bob, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- made log piles and brash piles of the fallen beech branch
- took the fallen pine off the bank along the top, and restrained the fencing. Checked the rest of the fencing along the top.
- made 4 nest boxes by splitting logs, splitting out the centre quarters, and tying back together. Chestnut seemed to be the best wood to work with. Beech was too hard to split. Keith has a splitting knife handle to repair as a result.
- put up a nest box in ol2
- recovered the half split chestnut log that had been left on beeches avenue
- attacked bramble and gorse in the ditch on the south side of the road. Arisings put over the fence on south Heath for burning later in year and on the other side of the road.
Observations:
- 2 buzzards doing some courtship flights
- crossbills, woodlarks, siskins, redpolls, skylarks
- 2 spades need repairing after the ditch work
- discussed some health and safety items
- broccoli seedlings distributed
- some more reptile sheets now available to be put out
- some more staples have been ordered
Martin
28th February 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Keith, Ian, Graham, Steve, Mike m, Bernard, David p, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- 2 bonfires of the brash from last weeks felling.
- moved the logs off the track and made them all safe
- checked for storm damage
- did check of assets asked for by swt
- put up new nest box in ol2
- John pulled pine on slopes near the crossroads, and some bramble along the road
Observations:
- pretty cold and the wind was stronger than forecast.
- Crossbills and bramblings heard. Ravens. Woodlarks.
- tawny owl calling
- one fire beater broke and is back in shed for mending
- one dead tree down along the top, which we can deal with next week
- David p going the swt event on Wednesday
Martin
John, Jonathan, Keith, Ian, Graham, Steve, Mike m, Bernard, David p, Stuart and Martin
Activities:
- 2 bonfires of the brash from last weeks felling.
- moved the logs off the track and made them all safe
- checked for storm damage
- did check of assets asked for by swt
- put up new nest box in ol2
- John pulled pine on slopes near the crossroads, and some bramble along the road
Observations:
- pretty cold and the wind was stronger than forecast.
- Crossbills and bramblings heard. Ravens. Woodlarks.
- tawny owl calling
- one fire beater broke and is back in shed for mending
- one dead tree down along the top, which we can deal with next week
- David p going the swt event on Wednesday
Martin
21st February 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
Pat, Steve, Ian, Terry, Keith, Mike p, Mike m, Bob, Bernard and Martin
Nick and trainee on site, mark ill.
Activities:
- beech branch winched to ground and cut up. Now safe.
- all locks oiled
- barb on M1 mended, and fence checked
- pony poo collected and bags of bracken part filled. Some bags of peat left behind the mound for collection. Poo mostly taken
- orchard of birch pollarded taking out most of the leaders. Also birch near cuckoo pond.
- Nick plus trainee felled 8 trees on Pippingford boundary.
- Keith and Mike m cut some sweet chestnut for making nest boxes, and brought them back to the tool store.
Observations:
- brambling, crossbills (singing), woodlark, herring gulls
- warm weather
Martin
Pat, Steve, Ian, Terry, Keith, Mike p, Mike m, Bob, Bernard and Martin
Nick and trainee on site, mark ill.
Activities:
- beech branch winched to ground and cut up. Now safe.
- all locks oiled
- barb on M1 mended, and fence checked
- pony poo collected and bags of bracken part filled. Some bags of peat left behind the mound for collection. Poo mostly taken
- orchard of birch pollarded taking out most of the leaders. Also birch near cuckoo pond.
- Nick plus trainee felled 8 trees on Pippingford boundary.
- Keith and Mike m cut some sweet chestnut for making nest boxes, and brought them back to the tool store.
Observations:
- brambling, crossbills (singing), woodlark, herring gulls
- warm weather
Martin
14th February 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Ray, Mike p, Mike m, Terry, Steve, Ian, Neil, Stuart, Bernard, Keith, Alan and Martin
activities:
- did not look the ponies as they were in process of being moved. Saw 5 koniks in the distance and told Gary where we saw them.
- finished burning up the brash on the boundary with Pippingford, and making the logs safe
- John pulled pine, birch and bramble on the slope down to the stream, and did some work on west pond
- put up a nest box that Keith had mended on beech near the tool store
Observations:
- warmer weather
- crossbills, missel thrushes, fieldfare, redwings, redpolls, woodlarks, Raven
Martin
John, Jonathan, Ray, Mike p, Mike m, Terry, Steve, Ian, Neil, Stuart, Bernard, Keith, Alan and Martin
activities:
- did not look the ponies as they were in process of being moved. Saw 5 koniks in the distance and told Gary where we saw them.
- finished burning up the brash on the boundary with Pippingford, and making the logs safe
- John pulled pine, birch and bramble on the slope down to the stream, and did some work on west pond
- put up a nest box that Keith had mended on beech near the tool store
Observations:
- warmer weather
- crossbills, missel thrushes, fieldfare, redwings, redpolls, woodlarks, Raven
Martin
7th February 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Terry, David a, Mike m, Mike p, Keith, Bob (new), Jonathan, Ray, Bernard, Stuart, Alan, and Martin
Activities:
- mended fence, where last week a felled tree hit it.
- looked the ponies. Alan found 10 in the morning, but not the last one. 11 found as we were going. One may be being difficult.
- 2 bonfires of brash from last weeks cutting
- moved the remaining brash and trunks away from the path
- mended nest boxes
- inspected the fallen beech branch in beeches avenue. Photo sent to mark.
Observations:
- weather quite nice, with some sun and gentle breeze. Pretty wet under foot, with ponds very full
- buzzard, woodcock, crossbill, siskin, redpolls, goldfinch, brambling, ravens, woodlark singing,
Martin
John, Terry, David a, Mike m, Mike p, Keith, Bob (new), Jonathan, Ray, Bernard, Stuart, Alan, and Martin
Activities:
- mended fence, where last week a felled tree hit it.
- looked the ponies. Alan found 10 in the morning, but not the last one. 11 found as we were going. One may be being difficult.
- 2 bonfires of brash from last weeks cutting
- moved the remaining brash and trunks away from the path
- mended nest boxes
- inspected the fallen beech branch in beeches avenue. Photo sent to mark.
Observations:
- weather quite nice, with some sun and gentle breeze. Pretty wet under foot, with ponds very full
- buzzard, woodcock, crossbill, siskin, redpolls, goldfinch, brambling, ravens, woodlark singing,
Martin
31st January 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, Jonathan, Terry, Keith, Mike p, Mike m, Graham, Neil, Stuart, Ian and Martin
Mark plus three were here to cut down some trees on the boundary with Pippingford
Activities:
- looked the ponies.
- cut and split some logs in the tool store. Brought more into store to dry
- discussed the trees to be felled
- cut some gorse for the ponies. Preparation included hitting with maul, bashing with club, and treading.
- John led party along the length of Reynard's way, digging up gorse birch and pine
- some work late on, in the copse beside the shed
Observations:
- Not cold, but Misty and damp
- Jonathan and Martin sampled the gorse after crushing. Pea pods.
- meet Lady (linda) who was interested in the poly tunnel
- Keith showed some photos from Egypt
Martin
John, Jonathan, Terry, Keith, Mike p, Mike m, Graham, Neil, Stuart, Ian and Martin
Mark plus three were here to cut down some trees on the boundary with Pippingford
Activities:
- looked the ponies.
- cut and split some logs in the tool store. Brought more into store to dry
- discussed the trees to be felled
- cut some gorse for the ponies. Preparation included hitting with maul, bashing with club, and treading.
- John led party along the length of Reynard's way, digging up gorse birch and pine
- some work late on, in the copse beside the shed
Observations:
- Not cold, but Misty and damp
- Jonathan and Martin sampled the gorse after crushing. Pea pods.
- meet Lady (linda) who was interested in the poly tunnel
- Keith showed some photos from Egypt
Martin
24th January 2017 ... weekly volunteers
Present:
John, David a, David p, Alan, Mike m, Mike p, Bernard, Terry, Ian, Jonathan, Neil and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- finished cutting along the bird count trail in ol2, with bonfire of the brash. Have now meet up with the track along the edge of the cricket pitch in ol2. Did some extra cutting around a group of pines
- checked the route for stumps, and did some reductions
- created a couple of good log piles for collection
- did a little explore round the back of the cricket pitch following the relatively new drainage ditch, taking out the odd rhododendron
- did an experiment of cutting bundles of gorse and crushing them and hanging them up on the feeding ring for the ponies
Observations:
- Brambling, reed bunting, woodcock, Raven, herring gull
- weather cold, but not as bad as forecast.
- Mike found us this time
Martin
John, David a, David p, Alan, Mike m, Mike p, Bernard, Terry, Ian, Jonathan, Neil and Martin
Activities:
- looked the ponies
- finished cutting along the bird count trail in ol2, with bonfire of the brash. Have now meet up with the track along the edge of the cricket pitch in ol2. Did some extra cutting around a group of pines
- checked the route for stumps, and did some reductions
- created a couple of good log piles for collection
- did a little explore round the back of the cricket pitch following the relatively new drainage ditch, taking out the odd rhododendron
- did an experiment of cutting bundles of gorse and crushing them and hanging them up on the feeding ring for the ponies
Observations:
- Brambling, reed bunting, woodcock, Raven, herring gull
- weather cold, but not as bad as forecast.
- Mike found us this time
Martin
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