Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit

Despite the hammer the new hdge has been getting from wabid wabbits, its doing quite welll and just starting to burst into life. Just over 50 of the most vulnerable tree whips have been encased in plastic tubes and the rest will be done on Thursday (if anyone is free?).

One patch is getting quite water logged and I wonder if we should drain the water downslope - next time a digger is in - into the old streambed , which would need a little excavation to ensure we don't flood anyone elses land. 

All the winters work is starting to come to fruition and it will soon be time to have a little break while the birds and bees get on with their "duties".

Although it was hacking down today, I spotted mute swan, canada goose, tufted duck, goldfinch, blackbird and pied wagtail.

Posted by Steve Lowe

Update

Well our pond dipping platforms are just about finished. Jonathan has said that the final planks should be laid by Monday. Unfortunately.....I am in New York so you will have to wait for the piccys until my return.

The walkway through the reed bed is in its final stages also. The viewing platform is finished so that just leaves the final stretch to meet up with the path that Jonathan and his boys have put in for us.

I think I spotted two Shelducks on one of lagoons yesterday. They flew off before I had a chance to identify them properly.

There has also been a mink spotted. Well, someone has spotted something the size of a stoat but black so we are assuming it's a mink. We must keep an eye on this. I will report back if it is spotted again.

I had Beacon Hill Scout Leader here on Sunday and she is very keen to get her little group involved with the project. She will divide them into 5 groups and each will get a small area to make a wildlife garden. Advice will be sought from the Wildlife Trust on what they can do in each area i.e. bug hotels etc.

Once all the major works are completed and the weather warms up a bit, we will be having an Open Day. Will let you know when.

The Wildlife Trust will also be publishing a press release for us on our Hedgerow planting so look out for that in the local papers!

Even more hedging

A shortish length of hedge has been added running from the orchard towards the first block of trees. We have put in blackthorn again and a few hazel that were left over from the weekend. Thanks to Alex Mays and Cailtlin Pearson for their help. Not sure what to do with the 300 trees we have left!!

The path surfacing went in today and the boardwalk is moving ever closer!

Tufted duck numbers are growing - 23 today! 

Keep your eyes peeled for frogs and toads as the wildlife trust pond in Gosforth has erupted with frogs all pursuing the ladies.

Post by Steve Lowe

Saturday's Hedgerow Planting

Looked out of the window to find it raining but this did not put off our helpers for the planting of the hedgerow. Just a shame a few more Shasun personnel were not present. I would like to thank Gillian and Claire from Shasun, Steve and his son Thomas from the Wildlife Trust (for the trees too), Davey, Paul and Helen (SWWAN Team), Michael Anderson from Owen Pugh and of course last but not least our young helpers Samantha, Lauren and Joseph for the efforts. Lynda and Ella also came along to show us their support.

The ground was an extremely tough cookie to tackle but we got there in the end and managed to plant a nice row of Blackthorn along our boundry fence.

After some three hours, my newly straightened toes could take no more, so I left but Steve, Thomas, Claire and Paul carried on.

There is still alot of hedgerow to be planted and Steve will be returning on Thursday with a volunteer from the Trust to carry on with the planting.

Let's hope all the trees start growing. This will help us secure getting our bee hives.

Back to Work!

"Jill's Jetty" "Sandra's Nook"

The Boardwalk through the Reed Bed

Well I went back to work today and took a walk over to my fav place to have a look at what has been going on whilst I was away. I am glad to say that the workman (both NWT and Owen Pugh's) are doing a grand job. As you will see from the pictures, the boardwalk and the jetties are coming along nicely. "Jill's Jetty" is very sturdy (must be as I stood on it and it didnt sink!).

A bit of sad news though, yesterday one of our staff wandered over the Wetlands to feed the swans to find Ellie, our female swan, dead. This was the mate of Elliott, who was killed a few months ago. By all accounts she had not been eating and was being bullied by our new resident swans. I think she just gave up and decided to leave us. I do have photos but decided against putting them on here.

Our Canada geese are back and another pair of swans. They all seem to be getting along hunky dory so lets hope we have a good breeding year and keep our fingers crossed that the goslings survive now that Elliott is not there to kill them.

Will keep you all posted!

Free lunch

Congratulations to Sandra on reaching the top three in the Evening Chronicle Environment Awards (Individual Category)!

Although pipped into first place, she will be the first to acknowledge that her nomination and subsequent achievement reflected the efforts of a team rather than herself.

Full coverage of the event will appear in the Evening Chronicle soon and I am sure that Sandra will sign copies of her (airbrushed) mugshots for a small donation!!

Post by Steve Lowe