Friday afternoon was dry and sunny so Ian and Peter, two of our regular volunteers, were back at the Reserve to add some clematis netting to the back of the gates. What might be described as a small, local, "free range" dog has sometimes been observed leaving the reserve by coming through between the bars of the gate. We think this dog is responsible for the dog fouling at Ballachurry. Hopefully with the spaces between the bars of the gate blocked it will no longer be able to enter the Reserve to foul the grass and disturb the wildlife. The netting extends beneath the gate too but should still leave room for any wandering hedgehogs to go on their nightly forays.
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| first the pedestrian entrance |
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| soon finished |
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| next the field gate - an extra batten required |
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| checking the size of the netting |
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| a few more staples |
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| and job done |
Let's hope it does the trick!
The three of us then repaired to the hide for coffee and biscuits ( of course!) from where we had an excellent view of water dripping through the roof onto the floor! After a brief rest our intrepid volunteers went up to check on last week's handiwork. First the roof had to be baled out as there had been heavy rain since the turf was removed. In the course of their examination Peter and Ian did finally discover a hole in the butyl so some slight revision of plans was required. A spell of dry weather is now required before further work can go ahead.
I meanwhile had been cutting back brambles ( again!) and also spotted this Ladybird near where the men were working.
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| 7-spot Ladybird |
On arrival at the Reserve we had seen 3 juvenile swallows lined up on the ridge tiles of the house next door, being fed by the two parents - a lovely sight!
Fingers crossed now for some good weather later in the week so the hole can be repaired and the wet roofing timber dried out.
Grateful thanks as ever to Ian and Peter for giving up their time to get these problems solved.
( to be continued)
