Tuesday, 20 November 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Mike m, Mike p, Stuart, Ian, Keith, Bob, Terry, David w, Neil, Paul, Jonathan, Ray, Alan, and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - started wheel Barrow puncture repair. Greased the wheel will Mike p grease - Jonathan made a besom - bonfire at back of shed, starting with the existing brash - some birch pollarding in the course at the side, including a few large birch. Brash burnt on the fire. - some of the logs split using the froe and meat cleaver and spanner. Keith's holy hammers used - used the new plastic sheet to cover the pile - some covers dislodged by wind in the last week, put back in position - pink nest box had lid put back in position and holes drilled to drain water from inside - more fencing done along the Pippingford boundary Observations: - Bulfinch - kestrel - Nasty weather, cold, damp, drizzle, snow flakes, some wind, but not as much as expected Martin

Tuesday, 13 November 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Ian, Mike m, Mike p, Mark, Jonathan, Keith, Bernard, David a, Allan, Pat, Stuart, David w, Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - two gorse fires and gorse coppicing - made safe three slit trenches near the bench, clearing Heather around them, removing logs places in then and repositioning them to be warning markers for the trenches. The Heather was added to the gorse fires - continued the fencing work to across the stream and up to the hunt gate Observations: - brambling near the shed - Dartford warbler near the bench - Crossbills - nice weather, though more breeze than we expected - used a feed bucket as a hop up for fencing successfully - Raven - David w contributed a black plastic sheet for covering the logs Martin

Tuesday, 6 November 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Mike m, Mike p, Alan, Pat, Keith, Jonathan, Stuart, Terry, David w, David a, Bernard, John, Ray, Neil, Paul, Ian and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - did general pond work on the two ponds below the bench. They seem much bigger now. They were quite full, even though it is not obvious where the source of water is - continued the work on the boundary fencing. Got up to the hunt gate. - did some ring barking in the swamp. Birch and pine, and by accident one alder. The later will just treat it as a coppicing incident I guess - moved some fence posts out on the Pippingford boundary ready for next week - mended a wheel Barrow, and oiled and inflated a tyre on another - Mike p did work on some of the drains on the track below the bench - investigated a couple of large slit trenches just of the main path near the bench, and considered what work might need to be done to make safe Observations: - all the wheel various were out working! - crossbills - sea gulls - ravens - weather pleasant and dry Martin

Tuesday, 30 October 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Mike p, Mike m, John, John h, Allan, Stuart, Mark, Bernard, Ian, Paul, David w, Keith, and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - two gorse bonfires along Reynard's way. Burning gorse cut a couple of weeks ago and cutting some more - some final work on the pond in south Heath, including making the upper edge less sheer - cut down a couple of trees on the boundary bank that were potentially damaging in the long run to the bank. Observations: - First bonfire of the winter. Quite cold and a bit damp to start with. Reasonably safe where we were, but the ground is still remarkably dry. - kestrel, crossbills, redpolls, sea gull - Paul keeping a watchful eye on the fire Martin

Tuesday, 23 October 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, John h, Stuart, Alan, Pat, Bernard, Paul, Mike m, Mike p, Neil, Ray, Mark, Keith, and Martin Activities: - major work continued on the pond at the bottom of south heath. Must be almost finished, surely - some pine pulling along the top before the Ryde junction - John did some bracken digging and a lot of eradication of rhodedendron near the house in the corner - continued the fencing work, mostly putting in posts where they had been found wanting last week. 15+ posts put in - looked the ponies and cattle - brash behind store tidied up Observations: - drank Ben's health etc - grolsch step up worked - various cakes consumed - Crossbills - John h reported that he had a very small tick the previous week Martin

Tuesday, 16 October 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John h, Bernard, Bob, Keith, Alan, Pat, Stuart, Terry, Ray, Mike m, Mike p, Ian, Mark, Neil, David a, Jonathan, David w and Martin Activities: - checked some of the main reserve fences. About 8 new posts put in and a chunk of stapling. A dozen other places for posts to be added have been noted with red spots. - gorse cutting from end of Reynard's way towards the corner cottage - work on the pond in corner of south heath - checked the cherries and mended a couple - looked the ponies and cattle. The ponies are back on the main reserve - gathered some pony poo Observations: - weather ok - fieldfares and redwings - Crossbills, kestrel - first mince pies Martin

Tuesday, 9 October 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, John h, Jonathan, Mike m, Mike p, Ray, Pat, Keith, Mark, Terry, Ben, Bernard, Paul, and Martin. Mark, and two other swt members joined us for the fungus foray with Martin Allison. Activities: - had quick search on south heath for nail fungus. No luck - looked the ponies and cattle - fungus foray - collected the last of the logs out of ol2 - John did some bracken pulling - some sweet chestnuts were picked - some log cutting Observations: - maybe Ben's last day for a bit. Brought some chocolates that were enjoyed - not a good year for find, but could have been worse - nice views of 4 Crossbills - Henry would like is to keep a parking space near his entrance fee for him - weather fine Martin

Tuesday, 2 October 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Bob, Ray, Bernard, Mike m, Mike p, Terry, Paul, Pat, Alan, John h, Stuart and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - more pulling pine and gorse cutting near pillow mound - made a stile over the boundary fence near the pussy field, with alder and wire - explored the area over the other side on the common - removed a flowing ragwort from the cess pit Observations: - weather cooler and overcast - kestrel - still too dry for fungi - plenty of sundews, though quite small - Paul's birthday cakes were very tasty - some dragon flies and butterflies around Martin

Tuesday, 25 September 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Ian, mike m, Keith, Bernard, Alan, Jonathan, Stuart and Martin rather fewer than recently. Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - pulled pine near the pillow mound behind the cottages - cut gorse along the bank parallel to Reynard's way, and attached up for future bonfire - made a besom - restaked a couple of cherries, and one hornbeam - tried and failed to take a bit of the old kissing gate. Soaked in wd40. Observations: - expected Paul and cake, but not too be - talked to Henry and offered neighbourly help when needed - noted the brown juvenile Cuckoo seen last week Martin

Tuesday, 18 September 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Paul, Alan, Mike m, Mike p, Keith, Stuart, Mark, Bernard, Jonathan, David w, Terry, Ian, and Martin Activities: - pulled pine saplings near pillow mound behind cottages - Mike p set all the saw teeth - cleared up the holy brash from making mallets - renovated the drainage ditches along first part of M1 - bagged up cow poo from the cricket pitch and drove them back to the tool store - bagged up some bracken peat from roller stand - continued cutting and splitting the chestnut logs at the roller stand - redid emergency fence post behind nearest beech at tool store, and checked the others on this section - deployed the reptile tins to keep the first log pile dry - prepared the two nest boxes in the shop and put them up in the copse by the store - put back up the mend box on the chestnut near the cricket pitch - looked ponies and cattle Observations: - windy, spots of rain and warm. Too windy for any tree work - decided not to water tubes, rain expected tomorrow - kestrel, raven - the odd dragonfly - more honey in the fund shop for mark - strange swarm of honey bees near trough Martin

Tuesday, 11 September 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, Keith, Bob, Stuart, Pat, Anda, David a, David w, Bernard, Ian, Mike m, Ben and Martin. Mark mt joined us Activities: - coppiced the willow in front of the shed. Brash piled near squeeze gate for later burning - created new log pile runners - cut some logs in the shed - looked the ponies. Could not find the cattle. They were seen yesterday and tomorrow - checked out the areas of bracken that had been sprayed - checked and cleared the complete circular route through ol2 - moved 7 loads of logs from ol2 to shed - removed one plastic cover that is splitting, and installed a new one from Keith. - John did survey for Ben - Unloaded some new reptile tins that keith has made - Observations: - Anda is expecting in new year - new neighbours moving in. Henry - Martin recovering, David w fit - 2 hobbies - kestrel - stonechats, missel thrushes - weather overcast, gusty and cool. Fine for log moving - john lost and found his jersey, again - mark described future plans - various shop transactions. Honey now all gone. Last to mark Martin

Tuesday, 4 September 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Bernard, Mike m, Mike p, David a, Paul, Jonathan, Keith, Ian, Ray, Stuart, and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - completed the renovations of the causeway under the power lines. Took some earth from the sides of level pond. Looks good - Keith took more Holly for making mallets - reptile survey done - Inspected the pond at bottom of south heath - collected the besom bitch twigs from the oak tree and put up into the roof void of the shed - disposed of a rotting 'woodpile' plastic sheet, and put out a new one - filled some bags of peat - inspected the drainage cuts on the m1 - cut more of the old chestnut stumps at the roller stand - cleared pine saplings above the causeway works Observations: - nice mild weather - very dark adder near shed - 2 slow worms and lizard under tins - new neighbors have arrived Martin

Tuesday, 28 August 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, Keith, Bob, Alan, Mark, Terry, Mike p, Pat, David as, David w, Neil, Jonathan, and Martin Activities: - John inspected some of the bracken spraying results - put extension tubes on the remaining cherries. Mike provided the duck tape - looked the ponies and cattle - did more pond work on high and top pond - started renovating the track across the stream under the power lines. Coppiced some alder in the swamp for logs. Still needs some earth on top. - mended two bow saws - mended a nest box and put it back up - put on an extra fence post near shed to strengthen fence line - tried striking cuttings from an alder buckthorn that was accidentally cut down - Keith tried to find suitable Holly for a mallet to hit the new froe - rearranged some logs and improved the sheeting Observations: - found three more mallards egg shells. These looked as if they had been eaten, rather than hatched. - raft spider - Crossbills, hobby, sparrow hawk, house Martins - nice weather - interesting discussion on consciousness - dead black adder on the road Martin

Tuesday, 21 August 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Neil, Pat, Ben, Keith, David w, Bernard, John, Mike p, Mike m, Ian, Terry, Ray, Alan and Martin. Nick and Alex from swt helped us with moving logs Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - moved logs from the quarry and ol2 to the tool store. There is still quite a lot in ol2. - did some cutting of chestnut in the quarry between trips - Martin did Ben's questionnaire - more tubes were collected from along the road for future use in extending the cherry tubes - some bramble work done - John did some bracken work - tidied up the log piles - did sawing in the shed between loads - Mike p cleared gutters Observations: - noted newspaper article about Aurora being fined for sheep worrying with Song - good weather for log moving - take more seen again during these moves - froe taken away for grinding by Keith - mend on roller stand gate survived today's work Martin

Tuesday, 14 August,2018 ... weekly volunteers

08:00 – 09:00

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Description:Present: David a, Stuart, Pat, Ray, Mike p, Ben, Keith, Bob, Terry, John, Mark, Ian, and Martin Activities: - extended a few tubes on the cherries as an experiment - completed the basic Irish bridges in the swamp. Created a brash pile - Stuart and mike filled some bags with bracken peat - looked the ponies and the cattle - did routine work on the level pond and repaired the Irish bridge there - mended the right hand gate at the roller stand, where the lower pin had somehow come out of the post. We think the gate for forced in the wrong direction which would have levered the pin out. - got the post half way across the opposite have gate, back in its hole. It was moved when the ponies returned - did work on the encroaching brambles, including eating a few route ones - some bracken pulling done on John's return to duty, under power lines and also along M1 Observations - weather much more bearable - saw Kevin, the farmer - Ben threatening to give us a questionnaire - honey for Keith's beer fund - John pleased with ragwort clearance and there being very few along the road - Aurora and Jacob have gone. No new tenants yet - found a pair of glasses near shed. Assumed it was from the couple at top lodge Martin

Tuesday, 7 August,2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Mike p, Mike m, Mark, Terry, Keith, Neil and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - watered the h & c - felled a number of pine in the wood around the swamp, cut into 3 foot lengths and made most of the bases for 2 Irish bridges. About 60% complete Observations: - reasonably hot, and had to work in the shade - small numbers of volunteers for various holiday reasons - on Wednesday, the three ponies were brought back and put with the others on south heath - red kite overr the tool store Martin

Tuesday, 31 July 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Alan, Bernard, Terry, Mark, Paul, Keith, David a, David as, Mike p, Mike m, David w ( convalescing), Neil, Jonathan and Martin Mark mt was on site Activities: - looked ponies and cattle - affixed pony notice to the new kissing gate - cut vegetation along road near car park to improve visibility when leaving - cut bracken along paths used for bird count on ol1 - coppiced/pollarded Alders in the stream above 13th pond. Brash hauled to bank - investigated 2 possible sites for Irish bridge in the swamp. Cut down 2 trees to mark positions - checked the fencing on south heath, for return of the 3 ponies - bagged up some bracken peat from the roller stand, and cut some more firewood from the large chestnuts there - did a very successful rescue operation for a car that was clearly attacked and stranded by a large beech tree in front of the shed. Keith expressed thanks to all the brave volunteers who risked life and limb. A short tutorial on the need for differentials was given. - south heath, road and behind cottages checked for remaining ragwort - road invading brambles hacked back into shape - discussed plans for natural England work with mark mt Observations: - recent rain meant that it was not necessary to water h & c. - nice weather. Less hot - good butterfly and dragonfly numbers - Alan had fantastic photo of gorse mite. Unfortunately the recent rain has washed it away, and there is only a slightly bleached looking Bush to show where they were - Paul cycled to ol, in preparation for tour de France or something. Made the rest of us feel a bit older Martin

Tuesday, 24 July 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, Ray, Keith, Bernard, Ian, Mike m, Mike p, David w (part time), Neil, David as, Terry, John h, Paul, Mark, Ben, Jonathan and Martin Activities: - moved logs, some to inside shed, and some away from the shed wall to allow better access to the solar panels. Moved the fence posts to inside the shed - cut some nettles and thistles in the process - watered C and H - looked the ponies and cattle - looked for ssb, but found only Holly blue and common blue - dug up most of remaining ragwort. One still near the cross roads - cut bracken on the tracks in ol2 - repaired the dog notices. We think either cattle or people have had a go at most of them - bracken pulling along beeches avenue and pippingford boundary - completed the two new Irish bridges down the path along the stream - cut an alder that was shading a pond Observations: - good views of a spotted flycatcher near the shed - super lot of dragonflies. Great, is, cd, az, by, or, sh, em, bbc - found a duck best, presumably Mallard, near to pond, with a couple of egg shells nearby - very very hot - discussed the BBQ - discussed link with political and ecological outlook, ie liberator = rewilders - lovely flapjacks from Mrs Bernard Martin

Tuesday, 17 July 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, Pat, Alan, Keith, Ray, Mike m, Mike p, Mark, Ben, Paul, Ian, Terry, Neil, David a and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies and cattle - big sweep of bracken pulling across under the powerlines, and down to the stream. And then pulling on south heath - watered cherries and hornbeams - trimmed some bramble along the road and paths near the tool shed - made the basics of an Irish bridge just down from where the hung tree was felled - put in posts either side of gate opening into south heath from the road, to stop people getting their cars stuck. Similar post near the beech opposite the roller stand. - cleared ragwort at the cricket pitch, leaving some with cinnabar moth caterpillars Observations: - No ssb - Plenty of gatekeepers - Crossbills - Spotted Flycatchers at cricket field and shed - Discussed BBQ at wood mill - Lots of honey jars Martin

Tuesday, 10 July 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, David as, David a, Neil, Ray, Anda, Keith, Terry, Alan, Paul, Mike m, Ian, Martin, and Pat Activities: - looked ponies and cattle - put up old sign, next to the new kissing gate - watered both the cherries and hornbeams - bracken pulling along M1 and beeches avenue, and on south heath - mostly finished the new Irishman bridge near the causeway - inspected hanging branch along the top - ragwort pulling on the other side of the cricket field, and on south heath Observations: - got a tree hung up near causeway. Phoned mark, and nick should be coming next Monday to sort out with the other hanging branch - some caterpillars on some ragwort that we left - Keith took all ragwort for compost - all three different dodder sites looking good - crossbills - not quite so hot Martin

Tuesday, 3 July 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, David w, Stuart, Jonathan, Ray, Mike p, Ian, Neil, David a, Ben, Keith, Bob, Alan, and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies. 15 cattle arrived in the morning after coffee - bracken pulled in big sweep across under power lines, and then up to the corner. Some was also done in south heath after coffee - watering was again done on cherries and hornbeams. All trees seem to be doing fine. The ground is getting very dry though - finished the last bit of the nestbox survey, clearing out most nests. Some have bees. - a bit more drilling done, though not so successfully. Need to check the bits. - Started making an Irish bridge over one of the gullies that flow down to the stream under the central fence. Used the arisings from coppicing and pollarding alder in the stream. More work needed Observations: - Hot - travelers have left friends clump - found old patch of dodder along road, and refound one of the patches near the car park - ringlet, skippers, meadow browns, brimstones - centaury, clover, knapweed, bog asphodel - discussed ticks again - Keith to get extra hedge pliers and froe - siskins, redpolls, crossbills, Stonechats Martin

Tuesday, 26 June 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: David w, Neil, John, Keith, Jonathan, Ray, Terry, Mike p, Mike m, Stuart, Bernard, Mark, and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies - renewed the dog walking notices, and making the posts firm again - did some tree drilling, hoping over time to produce some rot in the trees for use as insect or bird habitats or nestsites - watered the cherries and hornbeams. Had to shuttle water along the road in cars. Cleaned both troughs before taking the water - cut some wood in the tool store - again did a big sweep of bracken pulling across to the beeches and up to the corner and back - John and others did a dragonfly survey down the valley - cut bracken along the circular path in ol2 - rearranged some covering for the wood piles Observations: - various dragonfly species - grass snake near the manure pile - ringlet - small heath, l skipper, meadow brown, common blue - hot and sunny, but a bit of a breeze - more tick issues - spotted flycatcher Martin

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, John b, Mike m, Mike p, Jonathan, Paul, Terry, Pat, Stuart, Ben, Alan, Mark, Anda, David new Arrowsmith, Keith, Bob, and Martin Activities: - looked the 2 ponies - moved the spare oak post back into the tool store - big sweep under the power lines, up to the bench and back, pulling bracken - the triangle of paths through thick bracken under the power lines south of the stream was cut with various weapons of destruction - the cherries were watered - the Irish causeway near the paddy field was completed - another bundle of birch twigs was prepared for besom making - the chestnut logs near the roller stand were cut again for firewood - John did some bracken work on south heath Observations: - lots of sundews - a frog near the paddy field - crossbill - sparrow hawk - Stonechat, blackcap - small heath, BB chaser, ringlet - nice, and not too hot - planned a nightjar count for Wednesday night - John new attracted some ticks Martin

Tuesday, 12 June 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John new, Paul, Mike m, Ray, Pat, Alan, Bernard, John, Anna, Keith, Neil, Stuart, Terry and Martin Activities: - looked the two ponies - bracken pulling along beeches avenue, up onto the plateau and down to the stream. Then some work either side of the path up to the bench - survey of the reptile tins - nestbox survey to the crossroads and back to the bench - watered the whips near the shed and also on the Forester's cottage boundary - pruned back some of the low branches on edge of the cricket pitch to allow vehicular access into ol2 - John did some Rhody work along Pippingford boundary Observations: - adder, slow worms and lizard under tins, and a very spectacular black grass snake near stoney pond - a sizable flock of crossbills, probably twenty odd - raven - sparrow hawk - woodcock - hen pheasant on nest out in the open - good show off bog cotton - still some bog beacon - weather cooler which made it ok for hard work - 2 Mallard, probably make and female flying over - more honey sold for a froe - tree creeper, siskin, redpoll, bullfinch, whitethroat, woodlark, tree pipits, blackcap, willow warblers, chiffchaff, Stonechat - possible spotted flycatcher - Alan picked up a tick, which he later found and photoed - large number of orchids out - no further info about gunfire - cross leaved and bell heather flowering Martin

Tuesday, 5 June 2018... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Anda (+ 2 relatives), Neil, John, John new, Keith, Bernard, Mike m, Mike p, Terry, David w, Ben, Ray, Jonathan, Paul, and Martin. Nick from swt was with us. Activities: - looked the ponies - put up the two remaining posts need for the kissing gate - moved all the big wood piles at the car park. Removed some trending nails and barb. Stacked behind the tool store. - moved three loads of logs from ol2 - cut bracken on all the main tracks in ol2, and much from the open space - pulled bracken along the M1 and across to the cross roads - cut bracken along the edge of the slope towards the bench, and along the path to the car park - cut some logs in the tool store - cleared out the pipe and culvert on boundary with foresters cottage near the end of the power lines - did some work to slow the flow of water down the hill from the ponds under the power lines - did the best box work that was washed out last week Observations: - flock of maybe a dozen crossbills - Keith sold some of his honey, with donations going to the purchase of a froe for the tool shed - Gary tried to move the ponies to chailley, but failed at this attempt. Martin

27th February 2018 ... weekly volunteers

I cannot find a record for this, and think that it was snowed off.  First time for ages.

Martin

Tuesday, 29 May 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Mike m, Mike p, Keith, Bob, Ben, David w, John, Jonathan, Stuart, Alan, Ian, Neil, Mark, Terry, and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies - did bracken along the road, up the M1 and back along beeches avenue - did the final bits of the road widening - cut more birch in ol1 and almost finished track across the bog beneath the dam - made two birch twig bundles and hung upside down under the big Oak tree, for drying before making some besoms. - some log cutting - checked some nest boxes in ol2 Observations: - very threatening weather, with thunderstorms. - hot and misty - discussed Aurora going Martin

Tuesday, 22 May 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Anda, John n, John, Jonathan, Neil, Alan, Ian, Mike m, Mike p, Mark, Ben, Bernard, Terry, David w, Stuart, David a, Keith, and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies - two thirds of the best box survey done - more work on the road edge - bracken pulling right across the centre and then up and down from the high beeches - watered some saplings near foresters cottage heave gate - decided not to do same at the tool store - brought back a nest box for repair - investigated the works on ol2 side of cricket pitch Observations: - probable grass snake in the centre - weather fine for bracken pulling. Not too hot or sunny - no dodder yet - plenty of bog beacon - again hiding from one particular blue tit nest - one lot of great tit have already flown - generally poor year for nests - more disbelief that someone is on Facebook Martin

Tuesday, 15 May 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, John new, David w, Bernard, Ray, Mike m, Mike p, Ian, Alan, Pat, Paul, Stuart, Anda, and Martin Activities: - bracken pulling party went along the M1 over the plateau and back along beeches avenue. Some more was done on south heath - the fencing around south heath was checked, and repaired where necessary. About a dozen new posts were added to give more strength. - road works continued, with a Landover used as a stream roller. - a beech sapling that was being over powered by a holy tree was freed up, for growth on path to car park - last week's nest box survey was completed - some more three cornered leek were pulled up to stop seeding - some of the holly and gorse log pile was brought into the store - looked the ponies Observations: - redpoll, siskin, crossbill, Cuckoo, Stonechat, whitethroat, blackcap, chiffchaff, redstart, buzzard - holly blue, brimstone, small heath, green hairstreak, BB chaser, possible brown hawker - nuthatch on nest - Mike p on Facebook - Ray still off the fags - no dodder yet - common figwort - no orchid by the roadside yet - soil still damp and no need to water trees - very nice weather. A little hot later. - Some wild garlic/ransoms in the car park Martin

Tuesday, 8 May 2018... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, John new, Alan, Keith, Bob, Stuart, Ray, Neil, Ben, Mike p, Mike m, Paul, Bernard, Jonathan and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies - did two thirds of the nestbox survey - surveyed the paddy field for future work - dug up and disposed of three cornered leeks and ? on the route up to the car park - cut bracken along many of the tracks - tidied up some birch brash behind the tool store - some bracken peat and pea stakes were taken as perks - some logs sawn up - reptile survey of the tins done Observations: - two adders found under a tin on south heath - very hot weather - wood larks, tree pipits, siskins, redstarts - tadpoles checked - small frogs found near paddy field - sundews emerging Martin

Tuesday, 1 May 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Mike m, Mike p, John new, David w, David p, Neil, Callum, Ben, Keith, Pat, Terry, Alan, Ray, Jonathan, Paul, Bernard, Anda, Stuart, Ian, and Martin Activities: - work on berm in the corner of south heath, building up banks, and having gullies to drain of any leakages. Looking good - work beyond the paddy fields, creating an Irish causeway across a boggy patch. Also an Irish bridge across the straight ditch near the oak tree. Birch used for this cut in various places, opening up the area beyond, with brash used as habitat piles - some early bracken cut along the bird count route - the latch and various notices added to the kissing gate. It was too wet to put in the other posts. Adjusted the angle of the gate downwards. People still think it goes slightly upwards, while the spirit level shows that it is actually slightly downwards - looked the ponies and the tadpoles - mike p cleared some of the drainage channels from the bench to the beeches and created new ones. Stopped one of the ponds leaking down the path Observations: - two buzzards - showed some volunteers the dead patch and separately some early sundews - weather nice, but windy - there is a hanging dead branch on one of the pines behind the tool store. Nothing we can do, other than avoid windy lunches under it. - blue tit inhabiting the rustic bird nestbox - discussed wilding with Ben - amazing number of volunteers, getting to 20 for the first time Martin

Tuesday, 24 April 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Terry, Ian, Mike m, Mike p, David p, David a, Keith, Bob, Paul, Callum, Ben, Ray, Anda, Alan, Jonathan and Martin. Nick and Alex Joined from swt. Activities: - looked the ponies - bagged up some peat from roller stand - cleaned both water troughs - watered and checked the cherries. The water butt is now empty before tonight's rain - watered the hornbeam - successfully put up the kestrel box, and cleared a flight path - did some bramble clearance in front of the shed - demolished the old kissing gate, recycling the wood onto the log piles at the car park and the metal wires etc into Nick's vehicle. - erected most of the new kissing gate. Some work will be needed next week on the latch, the enclosure and rails. Observations: - woodlarks, chiffchaffs, song thrush, chaffinches, - a bit murky and cool, after the recent heat wave. Drizzle at the end of play. Martin

Tuesday, 17 April 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Keith, Alan, David w, John new, Jonathan, Stuart, David a, Mike p, Mike m, Ian, Ben, Bernard, Ray and Martin Activities: - tried to put up a kestrel nest box, but box failed at last moment and fell to the ground. Keith has taken away for repair before trying again - Stuart brought some more hardcore which was put to work strengthening the kerbs of the road. Mike p scraped up some mud from in Front of the shed and placed on top as a filler. - went to quarry and continued birch cutting and splitting. - Mike p and David a finished renovating the drainage cuts across the track of the M1. They cut 2 new ones. - some pine and birch saplings were cut or pulled near the bottom of the pillow mound behind the cottages. The scaffold pole pulling operation was demonstrated. - Alan bagged up some compost for putting on his garden. - looked the ponies. They are losing their winter hair. Observations: - cold wind to start with, but nice in the quarry and after lunch - brimstone, peacock and small copper were first butterflies of the year - chiffchaffs, redstarts, wood larks, goldfinch, linnet, redpolls, old pheasant egg, - lizard Martin

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Tuesday, 10 April 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: John, Jonathan, Keith, Mark, Ian, Mike m, Callum, Ben, Terry, Alan, Pat, Neil, Stuart and Martin Activities: - a bit more work on the road kerb, with more hard core and mud removed from in front of the shed - looked the ponies. Ribs starting to be visible, but still look fine. - cut down more birch in the quarry, with stacking brash, splitting logs, and stacking in an airy fashion. Used meat cleaver and bill hook with an adjustable spanner as a froe. - moved logs into the shed and moved a pile of logs at side of cottages wood onto log piles behind the shed - showed Callum and Ben the birch uniculture of ol2 Observations: - at least two redstarts singing - chiffchaffs, woodlarks, siskins, redpolls - possible whitethroat, Dartford, and willow warblers, but too brief - Keith left keys behind Martin

Tuesday, 3 April 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Keith, Bob, Alan, Stuart, Mike m, Mike p, Terry, Ben, Mark, Bernard, Jonathan and Martin Activities: - looked the ponies - went to the quarry and continued felling birch and splitting logs - mike p cleared gullies along the M1 - mike p cleared more mud in front of the shed - did some more cutting off the chestnuts at the roller stand with two man saw and wedges - Ben gave short intro into the work of his PhD Observations: - discussed the deer cull photo - quite sheltered in the quarry. Weather just ok. Martin

Tuesday, 27 March 2018 ... weekly volunteers

Description:Present: Mike p, Mike m, Mark, Stuart, David w, Jonathan, Terry, Bernard, Callum, Ben, Keith, Paul and Martin Activities: - set large two man saw - brought in more wood into shed - cut up some logs for fire wood - bagged up some bracken peat - looked and fed the ponies - checked and strengthened the fencing on south heath - cut and split wood from the large chestnut logs at the roller stand - put up repaired nest box in chestnut tree beyond the cricket pitch - collected some logs from ol2 for Mike m's allotment - did some more road verge work - cut more bramble down at the front, and thinned out the willow tree Observations: - tree creeper - crossbill - fieldfares - redwings - redpolls - Stonechat - weather rainy and not good Martin