At 10 o'clock on Saturday morning about 13 volunteers gathered at Ballachurry to resume maintenance of the reserve now that this year's bird nesting season has finished. The chief task was to clear the stream banks of vegetation in preparation for a rather muddier session next week! Groups of volunteers started at opposite ends of the main stream and eventually met up in the middle. The stream flowing through the reed bed and along into the pond received similar treatment. Meanwhile others were cutting back intruding brambles and bracken round the paths, laying the willow hedge next to the hide, removing gorse from around the Bowman Memorial bench and cutting back overhanging branches where necessary. Time flies when you are working hard and soon we were invited to down tools to enjoy a hot drink and home made cake. As we had not met up for some time there was plenty of news to be exchanged during the break, which is always a social occasion. Then back to work to finish the job and tidy up.
Here are a few photos taken with my mobile phone during the morning:
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| meeting up with the opposite team |
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| the water is visible once more |
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| looking back towards where the water enters the reserve |
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| assessing work done so far |
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| more still to do |
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| it must be tea break! |
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| refreshments, chat, and making the most of the sunshine |
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| back to work already for some? |
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| a well earned rest |
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| the cake is disappearing fast |
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| break over, assessing the next task |
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| Willow Arch over bridge - 10 points for artistic merit, Rob! |
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| Job done! |
The wildlife seemed not to mind the disturbance and I recorded the following:
SC209694 ( main pond) Mallard drake; 2 x Common Darters & 3 x Hawker species of dragonfly.
SC209694 Robin heard but not seen.
SC209694 ( dragonfly pond) two pairs of Common Darters ovipositing in the water.
SC210694 Red Admiral
SC209694 Speckled Wood x 2
SC208694 Speckled Wood
SC209695 Speckled Wood x 2
SC208695 Red Admiral
SC209695 Red Admiral
SC209695 I disturbed a Common Plume Moth from the gorse . New Record for Reserve.
SC208694 Pleated Inkcaps along the path.
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| Pleated Inkcaps |
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| Mallard |
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| Speckled Wood |
Thanks to everyone who helped on Saturday and a round of applause for the cake bakers!
please click on photos to enlarge them
