Today's reasonable radio weather forecast actually turned into a beautiful morning at Ballachurry - perfect conditions for our work party. We had 13 Volunteers on site to tackle removing tree guards from any trees more than about 4 feet high. This work was actually long overdue and it was very satisfying to give them their freedom at last. The Reserve certainly looks better for it.
The other task was to put up bird nesting boxes made by children from the Buchan School and kindly donated to the Manx Wildlife Trust. Volunteer, Peter, did a splendid job with these. Six have found homes in a variety of trees and we have a couple more still waiting to go up when time permits. We shall be monitoring the boxes next spring and hope they find some tenants.
Everyone worked really hard and thoroughly deserved the wonderful flapjacks sent along to sustain us by Rachel Hartnoll. Thank you, Rachel! Our tea-break is always a very sociable time - good to catch up with everyone's news.
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| getting down to work |
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| tree guard about to come off |
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| and a few more - their work now done |
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| taking a well-deserved break |
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| tea and a chat |
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| tea break |
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some of the nesting boxes donated by the Buchan School
waiting to be put up. |
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| Here? |
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| or here? |
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This box replaces a well used predecessor
lost during the roof renovations. |
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| a variety of designs |
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| and sizes |
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| hopefully the boxes will find tenants next spring |
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| a box for the ash tree |
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| nearly finished |
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| last one of the day |
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by box #6 Peter doesn't even need to
look at what he is doing! |
And what of the wildlife seen today?
SC209693 We spotted some new fungi along the path today. There was a time when fungi were rare at Ballachurry but the species are increasing now year on year . An excellent sign. One of our volunteers is a member of the IOM Fungus Group and hopes to identify them for us.
SC209694 2 x Robins together; 2 x Blackbirds together; Wren; Song Thrush.
SC208694 Goldcrest; 2 x Snipe; Goldfinch.
SC209694 ( pond) juvenile Moorhen, Grey Heron standing in water earlier in the day when I dropped off a barrow.
SC210694 Dunnock; Great Tit.
So, another very successful Work Party. Many thanks to everybody for all your hard work. You really made a difference. Sorry that I didn't manage to get everyone's photo this time. Thanks to the Kellys for hot tea and coffee and Rachel for the flapjacks. And to everyone who helped dispose of rubbish on their way home, loaned tools and equipment, and gave their time to help make Ballachurry the lovely, interesting place it is.
