WORK PARTY
There was a work party held at the Reserve last Saturday. I was unable to go, but Karen and Angie of the Ballachurry Bashers tell me that the morning was spent cutting back willows to stop them getting too leggy.They also raked off half the meadow which Volunteer, Dessie, had kindly previously strimmed as the Reserves Officer and her Midweek Muckers had been unable to give it its usual autumn cut this year. Hardcore was barrowed from the gate down to the boardwalk where Ian continues to soldier on making a splendid job of the new walkway. The session finished earlier than usual and many of the volunteers repaired to Bradda Glen Cafe for a social lunch in celebration of the festive season. I'm grateful to Karen for letting me use her photos of the work party.
raking off the meadow, the other half may be strimmed later. 
chopping back the willow 
this coppicing should make it thicker near the base.
BIRD RINGING
The Young Farmers had been treated to a bird ringing demonstration at Ballachurry Reserve earlier that morning by Robert Fisher and Aron Sapford. Three mist nets had been put up round the reserve and Robert kindly sent me the results below.
30 new birds of 11 species.
Goldcrest - 8
Wren - 2
Blue Tit - 2
Great Tit - 4
Robin - 1
Siskin - 1
Chaffinch - 4
Dunnock - 3
Song Thrush - 2
Redwing - 1
Blackbird - 2
5 Re-trap birds, 4 of which were ringed back in November 2022 on the reserve and one Goldcrest which was ringed September 2022 on the Calf of Man.
Long-tailed Tit - 1
Goldcrest - 3
Blue Tit – 1
They heard the Water Rail calling
throughout the morning at the pond and flushed 3 Common Snipe as they were
setting up the nets. Their bird (sightings) list for the day can be found
at
https://ebird.org/checklist/
My thanks to the ringers for this information. It is hoped to do further ringing during 2023.
