"Five go to Ballachurry" seemed a good title for our Work Party on Saturday but then I spotted two more volunteers down in the ditch! We were back to our Magnificent Seven. With a long list of tasks pinned to the hide door, we consistently worked our way through them, making short work of all the bits and bobs left over from previous work parties. Even the sun came out and we were soon shedding coats and jumpers. Rumours went round that Carrie had brought along her legendary Apricot Slices so we needed no second bidding when tea break was called. Then we discovered Janet had contributed a tin of home made cookies too, so we were all in clover. It's always pleasant to sit and chat in the sunshine but a few tasks still remained and we spent another hour ticking them off between us.
We have some major tasks coming up over the next few months so it was good to finish up all these niggly little jobs. A big thank you to all concerned for all your hard work. Especial thanks to our two bakers for reviving us at half time and to our invisible volunteer Number Eight who regularly mows the paths to keep them passable and looking trim.
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| Several areas were strimmed and generally tidied up |
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| our final chance to remove excess silt |
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| and the flow visibly improved |
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| this task is a bit like painting the Forth Bridge - once you reach the end it's time to start all over again! |
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| but here is the boardwalk at the end of the morning looking really good |
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| this is the section of stream we delayed clearing earlier just in case we disturbed late nesters in the reeds |
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| No way was she going to get stuck in the mud this time around! |
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| flowing again and the banks will soon green over |
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| the last few grids go down at last! Once filled with gravel they should help us through the winter mud |
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| has anyone seen Ian? |
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| time for a break |
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| and recharge the batteries |
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| assessing how best to repair the wattle panel |
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| a couple of new posts and a lump hammer should do the job |
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| in it goes |
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| job finished - certainly looks better |
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| "the wrong sort of willow" - these should have come out a couple of years ago but had managed to elude us - proved a tough job! |
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| Fox Moth Caterpillar ? Sometimes referred to as a Woolly Bear |
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| a very scruffy Blackbird |
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| I've seen this fellow before |
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| and a very smartly turned out Song Thrush |
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| it's some time since I've seen a thrush on the resreve |
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| this one certainly had attitude! |
and finally... just a note to say that my hoverfly video is now on the post for 12th September if you want to check back and see it.
