I hadn't planned to join the first work party of the new season on Saturday, 20th August, as I had another commitment, but when this was cancelled at short notice I was able to go along after all. There were 9 of us and the plan was to cut back the vegetation along the two streams. The new dragonfly pond was also strimmed of the docks and thistles which have grown into it during the summer in preparation for the liner being put in. This was my first work party as a "back-bencher" since standing down as the Work Party Organiser in April, so I had all of the fun without any of the responsibility!
Since I was at the Reserve 10 days previously the main pond had dried out completely because of the drought and both the streams were completely dry too. This certainly made the job a lot easier than usual and the task was almost completed by the tea break when we were treated to Karen's treacle and ginger cake which revived us (thank you, Karen!) Just a short section to finish off, and then home as the first drops of predicted rain began to fall.
Just opening the tool shed doors revealed some wildlife! A wasp had partially built a nest on the lid of the tool box! Fortunately no one was home and we were able to access the tools! There were also some moths resting inside. My thanks to Ian Scott for identifying them for me. Karen also took me to see what she had discovered beneath one of the wheelbarrows - Ballachurry's Woodmice have been enjoying the Hazelnuts! Please see photo below. This is why the Hazel trees were planted, so I was delighted to see the mice were thriving on them. They are also known to store them for the winter. Other wildlife seen during the afternoon included Speckled Wood butterflies and an unidentified white flying. A single Swallow also flew over.
Here are a few photos taken during the morning.
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No wellies needed today!
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working dry shod, 2022.
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2021 wellies definitely needed
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mostly Hemlock Water Dropwort here
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I completely forgot the tea break photos until most people had moved!
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but it was good to catch up after the summer break
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Ballachurry Golf Course?
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I'm told the liner has arrived
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the potential bee bank was also strimmed
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not a drop coming through into the reserve
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caution stream? what stream?
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just compare this photo with the one below
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this was taken in 2021 after completing the same task
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2021 working conditions were somewhat different!
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such a shame if all the water creatures have perished
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at least the Field Mice have been feasting
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Common Rustic
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Flounced Rustic
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Depressaria daucella ( remember all those caterpillars on the Hemlock Water Dropwort?)
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Wasp Nest
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SC209694 Wasp nest; Common Rustic moth; Flounced Rustic moth; Depressaria daucella moth; Swallow flying over.
SC209693 evidence of Wood Mice on reserve
SC209693 2 x Speckled Wood; unidentified White flying.
SC209694 3 x Speckled Wood
A morning well spent!
Please click on photos to enlarge them
